Clan Rising
Castle of San Jorge today

Spain · Demolished

Castle of San Jorge

Castillo de San Jorge de Sevilla

The Castle of San Jorge was a medieval fortress on the west bank of the Guadalquivir in Seville that later became the headquarters and prison of the Spanish Inquisition. The castle was demolished in the 19th century and the Mercado de Triana was built on the site; archaeological remains now form an interpretation centre beneath the market.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1481

Today

Demolished

As it stood in 1481

What Castle of San Jorge looked like in its prime.

A substantial medieval stone fortress built directly on the west bank of the Guadalquivir, occupying the riverfront block of the Triana quarter. Its mass presented a long masonry curtain wall to the river with a prominent arched riverside gate and service roofs set low behind the wall; the fortification tied into an urban fabric of narrow streets and an alley that ran from the river into the town. Built of riverstone and brick, it stood complete but exposed to river flooding.

Its story

The story of Castle of San Jorge.

The Castle of San Jorge was a medieval fortress on the west bank of the Guadalquivir in Seville, remembered above all for its later role as headquarters and prison of the Spanish Inquisition. The Alley of the Inquisition, once part of the fortifications, still connects Castilla Street with the Nuestra Señora de la O Walk in the Barrio de Triana. At one period the castle was loaned to the Count-Duke of Olivares, who dealt with its repairs and the surveillance of goods carried to its doorstep.

The castle was demolished in the 19th century, and in 1823 the Mercado de Triana was built on the site, a food market that remains in operation today. Archaeological excavations beneath the market led in 2009 to the opening of an interpretation centre for the ruins, focused on the history of the castle, the Spanish Inquisition and religious repression.

Step inside

7 places to explore in 1481.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Castle of San Jorge, including 2 interiors: inquisition headquarters hall, prison cells and holding rooms. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Riverside approach from the bridgeRiverside gate and bridge-chain anchorCurtain walls and riverside rampartsInquisition headquarters hallPrison cells and holding roomsAlley of the Inquisition (fortified alley)Enclosed courtyard and service roofs

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The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1481, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Castle of San Jorge.

Seville Cathedral, SpainCathedralSeville Cathedral1 km awayGiralda, SpainTowerGiralda1 km awayPlaza de España, SpainSquarePlaza de España2 km away

Questions about Castle of San Jorge

What is the history of Castle of San Jorge?

The history of Castle of San Jorge spans a Visigothic riverside fortification, Almohad rule and its later use by the Spanish Inquisition. In 1171, a floating bridge was built nearby and its chains were attached to the castle then called Castle of Gabir. The fortress became an Inquisition headquarters and prison in 1481, was demolished in the 19th century, and now has an interpretation centre beneath the Mercado de Triana.

What is inside Castle of San Jorge?

Inside Castle of San Jorge, the documented spaces include an Inquisition headquarters hall, prison cells and holding rooms. The surviving archaeological remains are beneath the Mercado de Triana, where an interpretation centre focuses on the castle, the Spanish Inquisition and religious repression. These remains are not the complete standing fortress, which was demolished in the 19th century.

Why was Castle of San Jorge built, and what was it used for?

Castle of San Jorge was built as a riverside defensive fortress and was later used as the headquarters and prison of the Spanish Inquisition. Its position beside the Guadalquivir also connected it with the bridge and its chains. After the Inquisition left, the castle was used for repairs and the surveillance of goods brought to its doorstep, before being demolished and replaced by a market.

Where is Castle of San Jorge?

Castle of San Jorge was in Seville, in the Barrio de Triana, on the west bank of the Guadalquivir. The site stood beside the river and the bridge, with the Alley of the Inquisition linking Castilla Street with the Nuestra Señora de la O Walk. Today, the archaeological remains lie beneath the Mercado de Triana.

When was Castle of San Jorge built?

Castle of San Jorge was built in the medieval period, but its first-raised year is not recorded. A fortification existed beside the river in the Visigothic period, and in 1171 the castle then called Castle of Gabir was connected to the Almohad floating bridge. The fortress therefore developed through more than one historical phase.

What did Castle of San Jorge look like in its prime?

In its prime, Castle of San Jorge was a substantial medieval stone fortress built directly on the west bank of the Guadalquivir. A long masonry curtain wall faced the river, with a prominent arched riverside gate, low service roofs behind it and riverside ramparts. It was built of riverstone and brick and connected with narrow streets and a fortified alley.

Is Castle of San Jorge still standing, or is it a ruin?

Castle of San Jorge is demolished rather than a standing ruin. The castle was destroyed in the 19th century, and the Mercado de Triana was built on its site in 1823. Archaeological remains survive beneath the market, where excavations led to an interpretation centre opened in 2009; the Alley of the Inquisition also survives as part of the former fortifications.

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