Sitting on the old city side of the Guadalquivir River, the Torre del Oro or the “Gold Tower” is a popular attraction in Sevilla. It was built during the 13th century by the Almohad rulers of Al-Andalus to protect the city from Castilian invasions.
Originally the tower was part of a pair, the other (the silver tower) being located across the river in the Triana neighbourhood, and together they were the end points for a huge chain that could be lifted or lowered in the river to prevent ships from passing.