Archivo de Indias

Overview

The Archivo de Indias holds the most extensive collection of documents relating to the Spanish colonial empire—43,000 bundles covering three centuries of transatlantic history. The building itself is a Juan de Herrera Renaissance masterpiece.

Highlights

• Colonial documents: Original letters by Columbus, Cortés, and Magellan.
• Building: Herrera's elegant 1585 Merchant Exchange, now a UNESCO site.
• Rotating exhibitions: Curated displays of historic maps and documents.

History

Created in 1785 by Charles III to centralise colonial records scattered across Spanish archives. The Lonja (Merchant Exchange) was repurposed as the archive.

Visitor Tips

• Free entry: Always free.
• Air-conditioned: A welcome cool respite in summer.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes.