Spain, for more than three centuries, was one of the most powerful empires in the world. Its territory stretched from the Iberian Peninsula to the American continent, where it had a large number of colonies. To organize all the documents referring to Spanish possessions in America, the Archive of the Indies was created, one of the most important places in Andalusia.
In the south of Spain, we can find some of the most important ports in the entire region, being those of Seville and Cádiz the most notorious.
The maritime tradition of these ports is very old, and many of the best sailors in the Mediterranean were trained there. For this reason, it is not surprising that these had a great commercial relevance and international connection.
In fact, most of the ships heading to the Americas left the ports of Seville, and it was the main link between the empire and its colonies. Despite this, it would not be until 1785, when King Carlos III ordered the creation of a unique place, where all the files related to the Spanish overseas territories would be kept.
Thus the Archive of the Indies was founded, a space dedicated to the colonial organization of the Spanish Empire, and later, to the historical protection of these documents.
It has been a long time since the provinces of America ceased to be colonies, however, the enormous cultural influence that the Spanish Empire had on the continent is undeniable. In the same way, the legacy that this historical period left in Spain is still present.
One of the places that best preserves the memory of the old Spanish colonies is the Archive of the Indies. There are at least 4,300 documents in it, in addition to an immense number of maps, created to document the discovery and mapping process of America and the Philippines.
Likewise, the Archive of the Indies contains a large amount of information related to the trips made by Cristóbal Colón, Francisco Pizarro and Hernán Cortes. In the same way, on the building’s shelves it is possible to find a lot of documentation about the lives of these iconic characters.
Today, the Archive of the Indies is one of the most emblematic buildings in Seville. But that’s not all, it is also the most valuable archive in the country, containing data on Spain, the Philippines and America that do not exist anywhere else in the world.
The Archive of the Indies is a building dedicated to research and the preservation of historical memory, at the same time that it is a highly sought-after tourist attraction.
Being a public place, admission to its exhibitions is free, but you have to take into account the opening and closing hours. Likewise, many go to the archive looking for relevant information, or with the expectation of learning about the Spanish Empire.
In these cases, a private visit can be scheduled, which must be scheduled by appointment. Be that as it may, having the opportunity to visit the Archive of the Indies, one of the several Sevillian buildings that are considered a World Heritage Site, is an experience that you cannot miss.
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