Triana: Unveiling Urban Identity and Architecturein the Modern Era

During the Modern Age, Seville was known as the Port of the Indies due to its key role in transatlantic trade, but its actual port was in Triana, a riverside quarter outside the city walls along the Guadalquivir River. This area was essential for maritime and commercial activities, shaping Seville’s economic and social development. This study analyses Triana’s urban layout, social composition, and architecture in the 16th century using historical sources and graphic representations. The quarter combined defensive structures, religious buildings, and residential complexes, reflecting both its strategic importance and distinct identity. Its streets and architecture accommodated defence, commerce, and daily life, while its diverse community –including sailors, merchants, craftsmen, and dockworkers– was vital to its mercantile and manufacturing activity. Architecturally, Triana featured traditional dwellings, corrales de vecinos, mesones, and posadas that supported trade and travel. Examining these elements reveals Triana’s adaptability to economic and social conditions, highlighting its resilience, diverse population, and rich architectural heritage within Seville’s historical context and Atlantic trade.