Spain and Portugal for Visitors

Originally built between 1583 and 1646 as a covered market, because cathedral dignatories found it a disturbance when stallholders dashed inside to shelter from the weather.

The building was later used by Seville's Academy of Fine Arts, founded in 1660, before being adapted as a library to house the Archivo de Indias, created at the order of Carlos III in the 18th century to include all documents related with the New World. In terms of scale, it is one of the most important collections of documents in the world, the star exhibit being Columbus's log or journal.

Click here for Archive of the Indies opening hours, entrance prices, and how to get there.