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It was in the Almohade times during 1184-1198 that the Giralda was constructed and formed a part of the old Seville Mosque. At that time it was considered the tallest tower in the world, standing at a height of 97.5m. It is one of the oldest surviving minarets of the Almohade times. The Tower which took twelve years to be completed was constructed during the reign of Yousouf Yacoub al-Mansour, the Almohad ruler. In 1196 the tower was used as an astronomical observatory and also to call the Moors for prayers.
Cut bricks were used for the construction of the tower believed to be designed by the architect Gerver, who incidentally was a mathematician and the inventor of algebra. Apart from this materials from several old buildings like the stones from Italica, a ruined city, were reused to construct the tower. 34 inclined steps were constructed to reach the top of the tower.
Four huge spheres of unequal size and made of brightly polished gilt copper were used to decorate the tower. The sunlight which got reflected from the spheres was so bright that the city could be spotted from great distances. The spheres were destroyed during an earthquake in 1356 and later the Christians constructed a small bell tower in its place.
After 1558 it was reconstructed by the architect Hernan Ruiz who designed the bells that were laid out in the arched niches. The top of the tower is covered by the “Lily section” built around the enclosure having the bell. It is called so due to the presence of the four urns in each corner consisting of white lilies which now adorned the 103 meters high tower.
A bronze statue of 4m in height stood on a globe at the top as a testimony of the victorious Christian faith. Since it rotates on its axis with the wind, the statue was formerly called Giralda (“weathervane”). Later on the Giralda referred to the tower while the statue was named Giraldillo.
There is a dome covered with stars below the statue of faith. Seville's motto, NO8DO is inscribed on the Renaissance part of the tower.This motto was given to the city by Alfonso X of Castile when it steadfastly supported his rule inspite of the insurrection.The meaning of the motto is no me ha dejado or "it did not abandon me" referring to the loyalty shown by Seville during the civil war waged by Alfonso against his son, Sancho IV.
The Giralda has several identical towers in Seville apart from a number of replicas built in the Unted States but the Giralda occupies the distinction of being the first tower in Spain to house a clock. Though they now operate by electricity the chimes can still be heard distinctly. Provisions have also been made to climb inside the Giralda and enjoy the beautiful view of the city after reaching the top. Thus the Giralda has become an important landmark of the city.
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