Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon
Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List

Dome of the Cathedral of Teruel.
Type Cultural
Criteria iv
Reference 378
UNESCO region Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription 1986 (10th Session)
Extensions 2001

Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon is an aesthetic trend in the Mudéjar style, which is centered in Aragon (Spain) and has been recognized in some representative buildings as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The chronology of the Aragonese Mudejar occupies 12th to the 17th century and includes more than a hundred architectural monuments located predominantly in the valleys of the Ebro, Jalón and Jiloca. In this area there was a large population of Muslim origin, although many of them were nominally Christian. Described as Mudejar or Morisco, they kept their workshops and craft traditions, and rarely used stone as building material.

The first manifestations of Aragonese Mudejar have two origins: on the one hand, a palatial architecture linked to the monarchy, which amends and extends the Aljafería Palace maintaining Islamic ornamental tradition, and on the other hand, a tradition which develops Romanesque architecture using brickwork rather than masonry construction and which often displays Hispanic-rooted ornamental tracery. Examples of the latter type of mudejar architecture can be seen in churches in Daroca, which were started in stone and finished off in the 13th century with Mudejar brick panels.

From the construction point of view, the Mudejar architecture in Aragon preferably adopts functional schemes of Cistercian Gothic, but with some differences. Buttresses are often absent, especially in the apses which characteristically have an octagonal plan with thick walls that can hold the thrust from the roof and which provide space to highlight brick decorations. On the other hand, buttresses are often a feature of the naves, where they may be topped by turrets, as in the style of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. There may be side chapels which are not obvious from the exterior. Churches in neighborhoods (such as San Pablo of Zaragoza) or small towns do not usually have aisles, but locations for additional altars are provided by chapels between the nave buttresses. It is common for these side chapels to have a closed gallery or ándite (walkway), with windows looking to the outside and inside of the building. This constitution is called a church-fortress, and his prototype could be the church of Montalbán.

Typically the bell towers show extraordinary ornamental development, the structure is inherited from the Islamic minaret: quadrangular with central pier whose spaces are filled via a staircase approximation vaults, as in the Almohad minarets. On this body stood the tower, usually polygonal. There are also examples of octagonal towers.

World Heritage Site

Tower of the Church of Utebo.

In 1986, Unesco declared the whole Mudejar complex of Teruel a World Heritage Site,[1] which was extended in 2001 to include other Aragonese Mudejar monuments:

Code Name Place Year
378-001 Tower, roof and dome of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Mediavilla Teruel 1986
378-002 Tower and church of San Pedro Teruel 1986
378-003 Tower and church of San Martín Teruel 1986
378-004 Tower and church of The Savior Teruel 1986
378-005 Apse, cloister and tower of Colegiata de Santa María Calatayud 2001
378-006 Parish church of Santa Tecla Cervera de la Cañada 2001
378-007 Church of Saint Mary Tobed 2001
378-008 Mudejar remains of the Palace of Aljafería Zaragoza 2001
378-009 Tower and Parish church of San Pablo Zaragoza 2001
378-010 Apse, parish and dome of La Seo Zaragoza 2001

The description of the importance given so appropriated:

Cite:
The development in the twelfth century Mudejar art in Aragon is a consequence of the political, social and cultural conditions that prevailed in Spain after the Reconquista. This art, influenced by Islamic tradition, also reflects various contemporary European styles, particularly Gothic. Present until the beginning of the seventeenth century, is characterized by extremely refined and inventive use of brick and glazed tiles in architecture, especially in church steeples.|
Aragonese Mudejar statement on the official website of UNESCO.


The justification for the statement is supported by the standard IV of the same organization: Criterion IV.
Cite:
As an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates a significant period in human history.
Selection criteria (UNESCO, World Heritage Site).

Landmarks

15th century Mudéjar alfiz and spandrel in Moorish Aljafería Palace.

References

  1. ↑ Mudejar Architecture of Aragon Website of UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Bibliography used

External links

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Mudéjar architecture in Aragon.


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