Mudejar routes in aragon
ALCAÑIZ
In the city of Alcañiz the Castle is outstanding. It was
built in the 13th century . During the 14th and 15th centuries
some decorative elements in the Mudejar style were added, not
only in the castle itself but also in the walls surrounding it.
This incomparable building is open to the public throughout the
whole day.
CALATAYUD
This is the capital of the area of the same name. Its outstanding
Mudejar monuments are very interesting.
Specially remarkable are the Parish churches of Santa María
(15th century) and San Andrés (15th century). Both of them
have been declared National Monuments and their slender towers
rival each other in beauty. The first one can be visited from
9.00 to 10.00 and from 19.45 to 20.00. The second one is being
restored and can only be enjoyed from the outside. We should not
overlook the church of San Pedro de los Francos (15th century)
with its Mudejar eaves. This church, another National Monument,
is also being restored and the inside cannot be visited. The tour
can be completed visiting the church of San Juan el Real. An exceptional
three-seat ceremonial chair is kept in its chancel. It can be
visited from 8.30 to 13.00 and from 16.30 to 20.15. Many traces
of a magnificent Mudejar past can be noticed in the town planning
as well as in the civil architecture.
DAROCA
On the banks of the river Jiloca, the city of Daroca is one of
the most interesting Mudejar ensembles. The apse of San Juan de
la Cuesta (13th century) can be visited throughout the whole day.
This church, as well as the church of Santo Domingo de Silos,
which is a 13th century National Monument are the most outstanding
religious buildings. The church of Santo Domingo de Silos can
be visited from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 17.00 to 20.30. As regards
civil architecture, the House of the Luna family (15th century)
is the most important civil building in Aragonese Mudejar art.
Visitors are admitted all day long. The walls and the Judería
(Jewish quarter) are also remarkable. They have been declared
Historic Ensemble.
MONTALBAN
The church of Santiago Apóstol (St. James the Apostle)
was built in the 13th and 14th centuries. It was begun in ashlar
following the Christian Gothic style and finished with the typical
Mudejar brick. It has a single nave, side chapels and a seven-side
apse. In the outside the tower is very interesting: it is made
up of a main tower and an inner one that is used as a staircase.
But the most remarkable feature is the upper part of the church:
it has a walkway that gives a military touch to the building.
Admission at worship times.
MORATA DE JILOCA
San Martín church has been declared National Monument,
Its façade is one of the purest examples of Aragonese Mudejar
decoration, with its ceramics and the splendid brick doorway.
It was remodelled at the end of the 16th century. Visitors are
admitted at worship times.
PEÑARROYA
The hermitage of La Virgen de la Fuente (Our Lady of the Fountain)
was built in ashlar and has a single nave. The building was begun
in the 13th century and works continued during the 14th century.
The wooden ceiling decorated in the Mudejar style is remarkable.
This hermitage is open at worship times and visitors are admitted
around 9.00 and 20.00.
TARAZONA
The town has been declared National Historic Ensemble. The most
remarkable monument is the Cathedral (15th century), crowned with
a dome. Only the outside of this National Monument can be visited.
The tower, decorated in the Mudejar style, is outstanding, as
well as the cloister: it was built in the first third of the 16th
century using openwork plastering. It is not open to the public
because of restoration works.
Towards the high part of the city we find the zinto, urban area
with Medieval design and noticeable Mudejar characteristics. Near
the zuda, fortified palace where the Muslim monarch or governor
lived and that is now the Episcopal Palace, we find the church
of Santa María de la Magdalena (16th century) with its
slender tower. In the inside the 16th century choir’s facistol
(a big lectern for music books) is remarkable.
TERUEL
The city of Teruel, crossing point for roads and cultures, was
declared World Artistic Patrimony by the UNESCO in 1986, due to
its ensemble of great Mudejar monuments.
The ephemeral materials defied the passing of time and have given us the opportunity to enjoy them. Wrap yourself up in the decorations that adorn the landscape. Get captivated by its towers’ glazed ceramics, by its pottery that made possible the explosion of light and chromatism in Mudejar architecture. Unveil the Muslim hidden architecture. Discover the coffered ceiling of the cathedral, with Almohad Islamic influences, unique in Aragón.
TOBED
The church of the Virgin of Tobed is from the 14th century. It
has a single nave with side chapels and pointed barrel vault.
In the inside the Mudejar decoration with plasterwork and paint
is splendid. The brick in the exterior is enhanced by glazed ceramic.
It has been declared National Monument. Visitors are admitted
at worship times.
ZARAGOZA
La Seo cathedral has a Mudejar part, concentrated in the head
end and in the lateral façade. Both of them are profusely
decorated and full of outstandingly beautiful details. Due to
the restoration works only the exterior can be visited. La Seo
has been declared National Monument. The churches of San Pablo
and San Gil are interesting buildings that can be visited at worship
times. They are both National Monuments.
The tower of the Magdalena church (12th –14th c.) keeps
the purest Mudejar style. It is another National Monument and
only its exterior can be visited.
Aragon maps