Spain Guide
Andalucía
Archivo de las Indias
Address: Between the cathedral and the Alcázar
Opening time: Mon– Sat 10am–4pm, Sun 10am–2pm
Price: Free
If the Columbus monument has inspired you, or you have a keen interest in the navigator's travels, visit the sixteenth-century Archivo de las Indias. Originally called La Casa Lonja, it served as the city's old stock exchange (lonja). Built in the severe and uncompromising style of El Escorial near Madrid, and designed by the same architect, Juan de Herrera, in the eighteenth century it was turned into a storehouse for the archive of the Spanish empire – a purpose it served for almost three hundred years.
In 2006, this mountain of documentation (of vital importance to scholars) was moved to another building around the corner and the Archivo was renovated, enabling visitors to enjoy Herrera's masterpiece in all its splendour once again. The exterior is defined by four identical facades, while corner pyramids supporting weather vanes are the main decorative feature. Inside, the sumptuous marble floors, bookcases in Cuban wood, arcaded central patio, and grand staircase in pink and black marble are a visual feast. The upper floor houses temporary exhibitions of interesting documents from the archive; these frequently include items such as Columbus's log and a letter from Cervantes (pre-Don Quixote) petitioning the king for a position in the Americas – fortunately for world literature, he was turned down.