Here it is! The Archivo General de Indias

The original Archivo General de Indias (the AGI, shown below) was built in the 16th century and functioned as the Casa Lonja de Mercaderes ... Spain's customs and tariff building. Although it houses 30,000 archival documents (many millions of pages ... that is, everything Spain possesses about its former colonies in the New World), researchers no longer work within it. We work instead in the Sala de Investigacion across the street in the satellite AGI building, and the original documents are brought over to us through an underground tunnel. The old building, which is now a museum, was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.

This is the satellite building in which researchers work. Unfortunately, I can't take my camera inside to show you the actual sala since what can be taken into or out of the room is tightly controlled. Researchers must have a permit, enter through a metal detector daily, and store personal items in a locker. The room where we work is guarded by a uniformed security officer. Fortunately for all those who come after us, Spain cares seriously about its historical artifacts and heritage.

This is the door to the building where we work. It's modern, but right across the street from the original AGI building and the Giralda. It's absolutely gorgeous here.

Walking through this square in the morning is a glorious experience. Shown below on the left is the Seville Cathedral with its famous Giralda, and on the right is the AGI. I am so lucky to be here for eight weeks ... which is far too short a time to transcribe all the material I would like to have.