# Archive of the Indies, Seville > The Archive of the Indies holds documents on Spain's voyages and territories in the Americas and Asia. It opened in 1785 in the Renaissance building of a former 16th-century merchants' exchange, between the cathedral and the Alcázar, and shares their UNESCO listing. Visitors can see the grand staircase and the upper gallery with exhibitions of old maps and letters. Entry is usually free; allow 40–60 minutes. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/archive-of-the-indies - City: [Seville](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville), Spain - YesGo score: 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 45 min - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Usually free - Hours: Tue–Sun by day, closed Mon - Time needed: 40–60 minutes - Highlights: Gallery, cabinets, maps and letters - UNESCO: Since 1987 - Location: Between the cathedral and Alcázar - Coordinates: 37.38478, -5.99308 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1785** — the archive opened (source: English Wikipedia) - **16th c.** — the merchants' exchange was built (source: English Wikipedia) - **Juan de Herrera** — designed the building (source: English Wikipedia) - **1987** — added to the UNESCO list (source: UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 383) ## About the Archive of the Indies The General Archive of the Indies was created on the orders of King **Charles III** and opened in **1785**. Documents from across Spain about its voyages, trade and territories in the Americas and Asia were gathered here: letters, reports, maps, town plans and ship logs. It's one of the world's largest collections of documents on the New World. It was housed in a former **merchants' exchange** built in the late **16th century** to a design by **Juan de Herrera**, the architect of El Escorial near Madrid. The building is a fine example of Italianate Spanish Renaissance. In **1987** the archive joined the UNESCO list together with [Seville Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/seville-cathedral) and the [Alcázar](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/alcazar-of-seville). ## The exchange building Before the archive, the building belonged to **merchants**. They had done business on the cathedral steps until the church asked them to leave, so an exchange was built for them. Trade with lands overseas was run from here: deals were struck, ships insured and news from the ports discussed. The building is square, with an inner courtyard ringed by two storeys of arcaded galleries. Outside it looks austere, all pale stone, regular windows and a rooftop balustrade. Inside, the showpiece is the **grand marble staircase** of pink and black stone leading to the upper floor. ## What to see inside - **The grand staircase** — pink and black marble. - **The upper gallery** — long vaulted halls. - **Mahogany cabinets** — carved shelving full of files. - **Old maps** — sea charts and town plans. - **Navigators' letters** — copies and originals on display. - **The courtyard** — Renaissance arcaded galleries. > **Visiting** Entry for visitors is usually free with no ticket needed. The archive opens Tuesday to Sunday and closes on Mondays. There are rarely queues, so it's a good place to pop into between the cathedral and the Alcázar for a break from the crowds and heat. The reading room for researchers is by separate appointment. ## Galleries and exhibitions Upstairs, long vaulted **galleries** are lined with tall **mahogany cabinets** made from wood shipped from the Americas. Their shelves hold thousands of document files, and with their carved cornices and bronze fittings the cabinets look like part of a palace interior. The central halls host **exhibitions** of antique sea charts, port and town plans, drawings of New World plants and animals, and letters from travellers and captains. Displays change, but you can almost always see original documents signed by famous navigators. Labels are in Spanish and English. ## Why it's worth a visit Even if you're not a historian, the archive is worth it for the atmosphere. It's quiet, cool and nearly empty, and walking the galleries among the old cabinets feels like stepping into a library from a film. After the busy square by the cathedral, it's a welcome pause. The old maps show how people in the 16th to 18th centuries pictured the world, with inaccurate coastlines and ships and sea monsters drawn in the margins. Children enjoy comparing them with modern maps and spotting familiar countries. ## How to get there 1. On foot: the archive stands on the square between the cathedral and Alcázar. 2. Tram to the **Archivo de Indias** stop. 3. Metro line 1 to **Puerta de Jerez**, then a 5-minute walk. 4. From Plaza de España, about a 15-minute walk. ## Tips for your visit Fit the archive into a morning at the cathedral: after the Giralda, cross the square for half an hour here, then head to the Alcázar on your pre-booked ticket. Photography without flash is allowed, but don't touch the cabinets or display cases. The building is handsome outside too: the best photos are from Plaza del Triunfo, with the archive against the cathedral. The façade is floodlit in the evening. If voyages interest you, also visit the Torre del Oro on the riverbank, an old tower with a small maritime museum, about 10 minutes' walk along Avenida de la Constitución. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Check it isn't Monday - [ ] Climb the marble staircase - [ ] Walk the cabinet gallery - [ ] Find an old sea chart - [ ] Photograph the façade from the square ## Places in Seville: compare and choose Places in Seville rated by YesGo. - [Archive of the Indies](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/archive-of-the-indies) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free ## Don't mix it up The Archive of the Indies is the former merchants' exchange by the cathedral; the Torre del Oro is a separate tower on the Guadalquivir riverbank. ## Tips - Usually free. - Closed on Mondays. - Between the cathedral and Alcázar. - Quiet and cool. ## Questions ### How much does the Archive of the Indies cost? Entry is usually free. ### How long do you need at the archive? 40–60 minutes. ### What can you see at the Archive of the Indies? The marble staircase, the cabinet galleries and exhibitions of old maps and letters. ### Where is the Archive of the Indies? Between Seville Cathedral and the Alcázar. ### Can you take photos inside? Yes, without flash. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia and UNESCO. Hours and entry terms weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: General Archive of the Indies - UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 383 - Spanish Ministry of Culture, Archivo General de Indias --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.