The tomb of Christopher Columbus is here as well. Four beautifully crafted bronze statues of kings act as pall-bearers for the coffin believed to contain the remains of the explorer. The kings, of course, represent the four kingdoms of Spain with the Castilles and the Leonis up front. At this time, no one is certain if this tomb is indeed his or that of his son. DNA testing has begun in several independent laboratories around the world. This will determine if Christopher Colombus rests in Spain or in the Dominican Republic as he did when he was first buried.

The Cathedral also contains many great paintings by well known artists. Among them, a painting by Goya illustrating two saints' profound devotion to God. These two women were killed for destroying statues and monuments dedicated to pagan gods. One woman was thrown to the lions while the other was burned at the stake. The keys to the old city wall are kept here as well.

After studying the many important sites within the church, I shuffled my way up 36 steep ramps to the grande finale: the very top of La Giralda and the cathedral's bell tower. The original medieval builders were very much ahead of their time when the plans were drawn up for this tower. The use of ramps made the long trip up easier, faster and safer than the usual staircase ever could. Once I finally reached the top, I had a perfect 360-degree view of Sevilla. A fabulous prize by any measure!

The site of the Catedral has had a colorful history all its own. A 6th-century Visigothic cathedral formerly occupied this plot of land. This was demolished to make way for the great 12th-century "High Mosque" of the Almohads that includes the magnificent Giralda minaret. The Spanish conquerors demolished virtually the entire mosque, but they had enough sense to retain the Giralda because of its obvious beauty and symbolic value. The attractive Patio de los Naranjos (with a Moorish fountain at the center) was also retained, with a few Renaissance touches subsequently thrown in. As its name indicates, this courtyard is filled with fragrant orange trees irrigated by little canals. The Puerta del Perdon is the gateway to the Patio de los Naranjos.

The grandiose plans of the Catedral, credited to Alonso Martinez, Simon de Colonia, and Juan Gil de Ontanon, was completed in the relatively short time span (1402 to 1506) atop the huge rectangular footprint of the former mosque. The master architect of the Rouen Cathedral probably had some influence on the overall design. With this pedigree, the architects of the Catedral made a bold statement with its sheer scale, height, and mass along with its aesthetic qualities. The Catedral was not just a place of worship, but was and is a symbol of Christian might and glory.

Walk around the perimeter to glimpse at all the bold details of the exteriors, and look up to see some of the 70 domes sheltering the building. Informational signs are placed around the base of the Catedral for tourists, such as the one at the Puerto San Miguel on the west side.

The vast interiors contain the Plateresque-style Capilla Real, which is the main royal chapel. The treasury includes works by artists like Murillo, Zurburan, and Ribera. There is also the grandiose 1902 "tomb" of Christopher Columbus, which is interesting since about three other countries lay claim to the remains of the great discoverer. Take a peek into the gift shop for some standard souvenirs to take away.

Admission to the Catedral and the Giralda is on a single ticket, although there is free admission to both on Sunday afternoons. The main visitor entrance is through the Puerto de San Cristobal. The Puerta del Perdon is now the visitor exit, though it was formerly the original main gateway.

General adult admission is 6 Euros though students pay only 1.50 Euros. The Catedral is open to the public 7 days a week but only in the afternoon on Sundays. Detailed floor plans, available in several languages, are helpful in making your way around this enormous edifice.

The inside of the Catedral is as impressive as the outside and includes several chapels. The side chapels contain statues and tombs, though several of these chapels are blocked off by iron screens. The main chapel with its profusion of gold is exquisite and resides across from the enormous choir area. The high altar is adorned with huge silver religious relics. There are several remarkable treasures in the interior of the Catedral and side rooms contain works of arts by the great masters. Another famous item inside the Catedral is a grand tomb held up high by four pallbearers and in which, is claimed to be Christopher Columbus' remains. Supposedly his remains traveled around quite a bit before finally settling here in the Catedral.

On the northeastern side of the Catedral, is the entrance to La Giralda, which can be ascended by walking up 34 gradual, spiraling ramps then a small stairway. The long, but nonstrenuous climb is worth it for the magnificent view of the city. Stopping to look out the gated window at floor 16 will give you a good glimpse of the Catedral architecture from just above it. At the top, you will see the large bells above you, then move from gated window to gated window to observe the different sites below and afar. After descending from the miniaret, emerge into the light by walking into the Patio de los Naranjos, (courtyard of orange trees) to spend the final part of your visit reflecting on this landmark's beauty and grandeur.

The Giralda tower is magnificent; it was a former minaret. The total height of the Giralda tower from the sidewalk to the weather vane is 96 meters. The tower has no stairs! The access is made through 35 light slopes. From the top the 360° view is superb.