Medieval Spanish Architecture: Asturian, Mozarabic and Romanesque

Asturian Architecture (9th Century)

San Julian de los Prados

• Structure: 3 naves inscribed in a rectangle with a basilica scheme.
• Features: 3-parted head covered with barrel vaults, Visigothic precedents, Roman arches, and semicircular arches.
• Design: Includes a narthex and interior mural decoration featuring fake arches without human figures.

Santa Maria de Naranco, Oviedo

• Structure: Compact stone volume with an inclined roof and two independent floors.
• Aesthetics: Rhythmical, vertical appearance with symmetrical floorplan.
• Details: Upper room with barrel vaults and transversal arches, buttresses, blind arches for lightness, and Corinthian capitals.

Mozarabic Architecture (10th Century)

Refers to Spanish-Roman citizens living in Andalusia during the Islamic period.

San Miguel de la Escalada, Leon

• Layout: 3 naves and a 3-parted head (1 central, 2 secondary) in a basilica scheme.
• Style: Thin marble columns, horseshoe arches, and a Christian exterior with Islamic interior influences.

Ermita de San Baudelio, Soria

• Design: Single central column extending over corners and walls to create a dominant space.
• Features: Secret chamber between the column and ribs, west mezzanine supported by 15 columns, and mosaic decorations.

Mosque of Bab al-Mardum, Toledo

• Layout: Crossing arches divided into a 9-square grid.
• Style: Mudejar influence, horseshoe arches, and brick construction.
• Details: Central vault rises to provide illumination; features 4 Visigothic capital columns.

Jannat al-Arif (Generalife)

Known as the Garden of the Architect, this summer palace sits outside city walls. It features luxurious gardens, patios with fine arches, fountains, and ponds. The dynasty was defeated by Queen Isabella I of Castile in 1492.

Romanesque Architecture

Catedral de Jaca and San Martin de Fromista (11th Century)

• Plan: Basilical with 3 longitudinal naves (central nave is wider).
• Features: Projecting volumetry, 3 semicircular apses, ribbed dome, and an octagonal lantern.

San Isidoro, Leon (12th Century)

• Significance: Pantheon for royalty (Romanesque Sistine Chapel).
• Art: Ceiling frescoes, flat figures, inexpressive faces, and Pantokrator imagery.

San Millan, Segovia (12th Century)

• Structure: 3 naves, central nave wider, 4 semicircular apses, and projecting transept.
• Access: Principal entrances on the North, South, and West.

Centralized Churches (Precedent: Holy Sepulchre, 4th Century)

Vera Cruz, Segovia (12th Century)

• Design: Central edicule divided into 2 heights, 12-sided plan, and triple-apse head.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Navarra

• Features: Clear exterior volumes, funerary purpose, Arabic-style dome, and main octagonal room.
• Details: Tower leading to a lantern, eastern apse, archivolts on portals, parallel ribs, impost lines, corbels, and pointed arches.