Today I went to el Archivo de Indios--this is a building built during the Renaissance that is right across the street from the Baroque cathedral. The building hosts thousands of original documents from the time when Spain was conquering the New World. It is crazy to think of how many famous explorers and kings passed through the building while coming and going to America. After Christopher Columbus discovered the New World, Sevilla became the "puerta" or port--kind of like a crossroads for explorers. The location on the Guadalquivir river was perfect for organizing the riches that were brought to Spain. Many people came to Sevilla in search for fortune. The building was first known as "La Casa de Contratación de la Indias"-- or the House of Trade
Here is what the building looks like from the entrance. Very simple Renaissance arquitecture
As you can see, it is the neighbor of the Cathedral. This is because as the explorers were coming and going, Sevilla grew immensely as a city. The explorers and city officials began using the Cathedral to do their business. This angered many people because they didn't want a sacred place to be used for anything other than praising God. So the church officials and community begged the king Felipe II to build a place specifically for commerce. And so the construction began. But by the time they finished, the river became too difficult to navigate and the center for commerce of the Americans moved to Cádiz. For years the building was used as a home for Sevillanos, but many years later, the king of Spain decided to make it a center for documents, so historians could have a better resource for learning about the Conquest. They wanted a place where people could document the real history of the American conquest.
This is an example of the marble that was used--the colors are the original color of the marble.
In the literature class that I had last semester we read letters that Christopher Columbus wrote to Isabel and Ferdinand while he was in the Americas. Those original documents are housed in el Archivo de Indios! !Qué guay!
The building itself wasn't the most exciting place I have seen since arriving in Sevilla, but it gave me an interesting perspective on the history of the city. This place was thriving when Spain was active in their conquest of the Americas. Tons of influential people spent a lot of time here planning voyages and organizing the riches that came. It also gave me a greater appreciation for the river that I cross over every day. Christopher Columbus set out from the shores of that river!
Well that's it for week one of Emily's Spanish History class! Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did! Next week we will be learning about more modern history, which I am excited about because I know close to nothing about Spain today, other than the fact that I love living here!
Mañana I'm off to Córdoba!
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