History
Friday Fun Fact: Torre del Oro
Katie from EF | February 27, 2009
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Seville’s famous military watchtower has been known for centuries as Torre del Oro, which means “gold tower” in Spanish. However, the exact origins of the tower’s name are a bit unclear.
The popular explanation for Torre del Oro’s name is that it may have once been covered in golden tiles, like the ones that still cover its dome. Another naming theory suggests that the tower was used to securely store precious metals during the Middle Ages.
However, at least one source, says that the tower was named Torre del Oro in 1248, “when Fernando III gave it to an Italian named Nicoloso de la Torre del Oro.”
Whichever theory you believe, there’s no doubt the tower lives up to its name when it’s illuminated at night.
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Katie from EF
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