Built between 1221 and 1222, this tower is said to be the final contribution of the Alomhade period to the culture of Spain. The tower was the last corner of the castle wall that extended all the way around the Alcazar which is at least a 15 minute walk away. Now a museum of naval history, the name comes not from the fable that it was the storehouse of gold from the new world; but that the sun gleamed off the gold colored tiles of the building.
Generations and centuries of building, earth moving and natural infilling have changed the appearance of the river and the city. Now a controlled channel with concrete walls, docks and stairways, the river once was wild with a tendency to flash flood. As the population of Sevilla increased, people built outward from the walls of the Alcazar in every direction. During centuries of turmoil, the sites nearer the Alcazar (the Barrio de Santa Cruz for example) were believed to be safer from both flood and violence. Location next to the palace walls didn't save the Jews.
When you look at the old exposed castle walls, you often look down at them. How? Well, it is the building up of the ground the city rests on. How many feet up? Well, it would not be unreasonable to say 15 to 20 feet over the centuries. As with all other civilizations, the nature of the way we live causes infill. Just think of all that is tossed away! As they are building the new underground parking to the east of the Torre del Oro, much of history is being discovered. As with the Big Dig in Boston, the archeologists wait for the news of new findings. So, you say, the Alcazar has not been elevated. True, but is always was out of the flood plain.
Open short hours only 1000 to 1400. Closed on Sunday and Monday. No charge on Tuesdays to EU members. Fee for all others. Not accessible.
I found a substantial remnant of the castle wall behind an office building on a facing corner. Testing my husband's nerves, I walked through a passage left open in the office building (look for the brass murals on the outside of the building that depict the naval history of the river.) out on to an observation deck that allows you to get a good look at the old walls. Obviously lit for night viewing, it is an impressive site. By peering through iron grills it is also possible to see more of the ruin to the east. As he was muttering something about 'this is a great place to get mugged', he pulled me away from this site. At least I got to see it for 5 minutes.