Archivo General de Indias (Archive of the Indies), Seville

Archivo General de Indias, also known as the General Archive of the Indies, is located near Plaza del Triunfo in central Seville. The archive was created in 1785 as a place to hold all documentation regarding the country's overseas territories, though the building has a history that dates to 1646.

The building was designed by architect Juan de Herrera. It was used as a center of commerce for the city. Other architects, including Alonso de Vandelvira and Miguel de Zumarraga, aided Herrera in designing a building that was resistant to fires, which was a common issue at the time.

King Carlos III reinvented the building as a place to hold important documentation relating to possessions in the Americas. Seville was chosen for this, in part, because the city was the sole trade port in Spain for the New World.

Visitors may explore that archives on Tuesday through Saturday from 9.30 AM to 4:45 PM. The building is open on Sundays from 10 AM to 1:45 PM. It is closed on Mondays and certain holidays. Admission is free.

Tip:
One of the most interesting exhibits is on the ground floor – the 1616 cannon from the "Nuestra Señora de Atocha" which was a treasure-laden ship that sank in a storm on the way back to Spain from Havana. This exhibit is enough to make the visit memorable – don't miss it!