Giraldillo

Giraldillo is the bronze statue crowning the Giralda tower at Seville Cathedral — one of the city's most recognizable symbols.

What exactly sits on top of the Giralda?

At the very top of the tower stands a female bronze figure just over three metres tall — 3.47 metres to be exact. The body of the statue alone weighs 1.2 tons. The sculpture is mounted on a 17-metre iron rod, which lets it rotate with the wind, because the Giraldillo isn't purely decorative — it's a functioning weathervane. That role gave the whole tower its name: "giralda" in Spanish means weathervane, and over time the word came to describe the entire structure rather than just the figure on top.

Who designed and built the statue?

The design came from the workshop of Luis de Vargas, while the physical casting and installation were carried out by Seville sculptor Bartolomé Morel. The statue went up in 1568, during the Renaissance period when a new Christian architectural crown was being added to the tower's medieval minaret base.

What does the figure represent?

The Giraldillo depicts an allegory of Faith — referred to in various sources as the Triumph of the Church, the Colossus of Victorious Faith, or the Allegory of the Strength of Faith. In her right hand she holds a large shield (or banner-shaped plate) that doubles as the weathervane; in her left, a palm branch symbolizing victory. Her head is crowned with a helmet ringed by twelve fleurs-de-lis. A lance topped with a Christian cross is attached to the shield. The whole composition was designed to send a clear message: the triumph of Christianity over the building's earlier Islamic purpose.

Why does the tower beneath Giraldillo have such a layered history?

The Giralda began life as the minaret of the great Almohad mosque, built in the 12th century by architects Ibn Basso and Ali de Gomara. After the Christian reconquest of Seville in 1248, the mosque was converted into a cathedral, and the minaret — too valuable an architectural asset to demolish — was kept standing despite the change in the building's religious purpose. It wasn't until the 16th century, under a design by Hernán Ruiz the Younger, that a Renaissance belfry was added on top, with the installation of the Giraldillo statue as its final flourish. As a result, a single structure carries two eras and two religious traditions: an Islamic foundation topped by a Christian crown.

Why is Giraldillo worth seeing in person?

The figure has been an inseparable part of Seville's skyline for centuries, appearing on tourism materials, coats of arms, and artwork inspired by the city. Visible from many points across the old town, it serves as a landmark for visitors and remains one of the most photographed architectural details in Andalusia. Climbing the Giralda — via ramps rather than stairs, a holdover from its days as a minaret — lets visitors get close to the structure and appreciate the true scale of this Renaissance-era sculpture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Giraldillo? It's the bronze weathervane statue crowning the Giralda tower in Seville, representing an allegory of Faith.

Who created the Giraldillo, and when? It was designed by Luis de Vargas and cast by Bartolomé Morel; it was installed in 1568.

How big is the statue? It stands 3.47 metres tall, and its body alone weighs 1.2 tons.

Why is the tower called the Giralda? The name comes from the Spanish word for weathervane, referring to the function the Giraldillo figure performs at its top.