The circumnavigation carried out by Magallanes and Elcano changed the history of a country, including the conception of our planet. All this begins in Sevilla. In Seville, here we will show you the most emblematic points of this adventure.
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Contracting Square
In this square was located the old Casa de Contratación, formerly called Casa y Audiencia de Indias. In the 16th century the building was integrated into the Royal Alcazar of Seville. It promoted and controlled trade and navigation with the lands discovered in the New World. It was the fundamental institution to organize the expedition of Magallanes and Elcano.
Mateos Gago Street
Magallanes lived in this street during his stay in Seville. The street was previously called Borceguineria, because the shoe and borceguies manufacturers resided. In this same area was the house of Jorge de Portugal, the former warden of the Alcázar, who supported his compatriot to enforce his project.
Germans Street
It was the place where business agreements concluded with merchants and bankers. It owes its name to the large number of German merchants in the area. Here the fate of the Nao Victoria was finished when she returned from her journey and the business will be closed with all the goods brought from overseas.
Cathedral of Seville
It was the place where the expedition members went to pray before leaving for the great trip and where the few survivors of the Nao Victoria returned to thank the deed. This is how an inscription narrates. Traditionally, sailors before sailing the seas entrusted themselves to the Virgen de la Antigua, located inside. Thus, one of the most important monumental icons of Seville was part of the First Around the World.
Indies Archive
At the time of the discovery, named the market of Mercaderes then, but it reformed in the 18th century to house the documentation of the Spanish possessions overseas. This building has numerous original testimonies about the first round the world: certificates, letters, account books…
Royal Shipyards
It is a naval arsenal. They built it in 1252 by Alfonso X El Sabio. It was one of the largest industrial facilities of the late Middle Ages and that is why the royal galleys winterized there. This is where the Magellan ships came from. The wood with which they built the ships comes from forests of the Crown, in the Sierra Norte de Sevilla. That’s how strong the support of the kings was for the Magellan project.
Torre de la Plata
Its origin dates back to the 12th century. It was the first stop for the boats going to the Casa de la Contratación. It was like a Sevillian treasure route. The cargo of different spices from the Victoria ship introduced here, for safekeeping in the Casa de la Contratación.
Torre del Oro
This tower joins the previous one mentioned by a wall, in the middle of the Seville dock, from where the ships of the Magellan expedition left and the Victoria ship, captained by Elcano, returned. Before it known for the Puerto de las Muelas.
Triana neighborhood in Seville
This particular neighborhood was the quintessential seaside neighborhood. Both its bridge and its market were part of the history of the Magellan circumnavigation. The Triana bridge was the place where the loads destined for the Magellan ships passed, both supplies and everyday life tools. In the current market of Triana was the castle of San Jorge, where the old Inquisition was located. In the remains of the castle you can see what was the old jail and the Church Court. They said that a relative of Magellan, Diego Barbosa, had problems with the Holy Office and that he saved thanks to his relationship with him. The church of Santa Ana that is in this neighborhood contains the carving of the Virgen de la Victoria, in honor of the only ship that arrived from the crossing. It was built in the middle of the 13th century and is in the Gothic style, with numerous artistic pieces inside.
Mulas Pier
It is in the current Plaza de Cuba, it is located on the opposite shore from the Torre del Oro. It was the place from where the Magellan ships departed, but currently there is no vestige of what that emblematic dock was.
If you want to know more about this incredible adventure that changed the history of Spain and the Spanish Empire, contact us and we will design the best trip adapted to your tastes, schedules and needs.