The Guadalquivir

This is the Guadalquivir – its name comes from the Arabic for “the great river.” Seville wouldn’t be Seville without it. It’s the only river in Spain that boats can travel along, and brought the city both glory and wealth. In 1519, Ferdinand Magellan set off on the first voyage around the world right from this river. The Guadalquivir flows into the Atlantic about 180 kilometres downstream, so when the New World was discovered, Seville became a major hub of global trade. Gold, silver, spices, and coffee from the Americas passed along its waters. The city’s daily life soon revolved around its bustling river port, giving rise to new maritime industries—like rope-making and barrel-cooping. In those days, Seville was known as “the beating heart of the world”.