GENERAL ARCHIVES OF INDIA
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A real mine of information on the discovery and conquest of the Americas. To be discovered during the exhibitions that are organized there.
In the 16th century, the Casa Lonja, also known as the Casa de Contratación, was the place where negotiations between the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America took place. It served as a stock exchange for the use of merchants and as the Ministry of the Colonies. Today it is the Archivo de Indias. Listed as a World Heritage Site, the Renaissance-style building was built between 1583 and 1598 by Juan de Herrera, based on a project by Juan de Mijares and Alonso de Vandelvira, and in the 18th century it was continued by Miguel de Zumárraga. Since 1784, the house, with its beautiful patio, has housed the Archive of the Indies, estimated at around 90 million documents, accessible only to researchers who will find inexhaustible sources of information. However, one can get an idea of the progress of the discoveries of the Latin American continent by consulting plans and maps. One of the first maps, the one of the Gulf of Mexico, drawn in 1519, is on display, as well as a painting by Goya, among others, depicting the portrait of Queen María Luisa. You can also refresh your memory on the history of the Americas, as a well-designed exhibition displays large panels with important dates and the evolution of relations between the New World and Spain.
A word of advice: go in to admire the grand staircase and the layout of the rooms, but the best thing to do is to visit them when there is an exhibition that highlights the documents.
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C'est vite visité (à moins de vouloir étudier d'anciens documents) et c'est gratuit. Vaut le détour.