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Despite the many kilometers separating Seville from Cantabria, there is a curious relationship between our city and this region located in northern Spain. The history goes back to 1248, when the reconquest of the city by Castilian king Fernando III happened. This was achieved after a long siege of the city, both land and sea.
One of the fundamental elements in the Muslim defense of Seville was the Guadalquivir river, which was protected by a huge chain that crossed it, from the Torre del Oro to Triana, and thus allowed the arrival of supplies from the Aljarafe (some kilometers west from Seville) to the city. The river was, for that reason, an important strategic point.
The First Admiral of Castile, Bonifaz, along with thirteen ships, managed to cut the chain and with it the supply to the city, reason why it had to surrender to the Christian army. As the great majority of sailors were of Cantabrian origin, this fact is remembered in its seal – that shows the Torre del Oro and the chains on the river – as well as in the seal of many cities like Santander, Comillas, or Aviles, in Asturias.
The Torre del Oro is the first stop of our Free Tour “El Río y Triana”.