General Archive of the Indies

Archive of the Indies
Native name
Archivo General de Indias (Spanish)
The Archivo de Indias, Seville
LocationSeville, Andalusia, Spain
Coordinates37°23′02″N 5°59′31″W / 37.384°N 5.992°W / 37.384; -5.992
Built16th century
ArchitectJuan de Herrera
Juan de Mijares
Architectural style(s)Renaissance
Official nameCathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville
TypeCultural
Criteriai, ii, iii, vi
Designated1987 (118th session)
Reference no.383
RegionEurope
General Archive of the Indies is located in Seville
General Archive of the Indies
Location in Seville

The Archivo General de Indias (Spanish pronunciation: [aɾˈtʃiβo xeneˈɾal de ˈindjas]; standard abbreviation AGI; lit.'General Archive of the Indies'), often simply called the Archive of the Indies was created by Carlos III and inaugurated in 1785.[1] It is housed in the former merchant guild building in Seville, Spain, built in the late 16th century. It became the repository of archival materials documenting the history of the Spanish Empire in the Americas and Asia. The building was designed by Juan de Herrera; it is an Italianate example of Spanish Renaissance architecture. This structure and its contents were registered in 1987 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, together with the adjoining Seville Cathedral and the Alcázar of Seville.

  1. ^ Romero Tallafigo, Manuel. "La fundación del Archivo General de Indias" en Archivo General de Indias. Madrid: Lunwerg Editores 1995, 33