

The materials employed, which are very varied in Aragon, were typical of Islamic art. Other structures employed include Almohade-style minarets for the belltowers, collar beam roofs, and Moamar-style carved ceilings to cover various spaces. Thus, we can identify in these Aragonese monuments the rhombus-shaped mouldings (sebqa), stars, angled and interlaced brick friezes, arrows, lobed and multi-grooved arches, as well as elements of construction characteristic of Islamic art such as alfiz panels, decorated eaves (rafes), and lattice work.

Decorative motifs from a great variety of traditions can be seen in the ten monuments that make up this property including: Greco-Roman, Byzantine, Sassanid, Seljuq, Berber, and Visigoth among others. The Mudéjar architecture of Aragon is, on account of the formal solutions adopted and the techniques and materials of construction employed, a specific and extraordinary legacy, as well as a vivid reflection of a moment in history when three cultures with very different roots flourished together on Aragonese soil. They include: the tower, roof, and cimborio of the Cathedral of Santa María de Mediavilla de Teruel the tower and church of San Pedro de Teruel the church tower of San Martín de Teruel the church tower of Salvador de Teruel the apse, cloister, and tower of the collegiate church of Santa María de Calatayud the parish church of Santa Tecla de Cervera de la Cañada the church of Santa María de Tobed the surviving Mudéjar features of the Aljafería Palace of Zaragoza the tower and parish church of San Pablo de Zaragoza and the apse, parroquieta, and cimborio of la Seo de Zaragoza. The property comprises ten religious and secular monuments in the provinces of Teruel and Zaragoza. This art, influenced by Islamic tradition, also reflects various contemporary European styles, particularly the Gothic. Rather, it constitutes an authentic testament to the peaceful co-existence in medieval Spain of Christianity and Islam with contributions from Jewish culture, the fruit of which was a new form of artistic expression.

Mudéjar art is an artistic phenomenon that does not belong entirely to the cultures of Western Europe or Islam. From a historical point of view, this artistic genre belongs to a lengthy period that lasted from the 12th to the 17th century. Geographically, Aragonese Mudéjar art can be found mainly along the Ebro river valley and its southern tributaries in the northeast Iberian Peninsula. You’ll also find plenty of modern life and creature comforts in the city’s Gothic Quarter, with popular restaurants, shopping and entertainment hotspots.The development in the 12th century of Mudéjar art in Aragon resulted from the particular political, social, and cultural conditions that prevailed in Spain after the Reconquista. The Gothic Quarter can be reached by public bus, metro and taxi, though many of the narrow medieval streets in the quarter are only accessible to pedestrians. Visitors often spend between 1 and 3 hours in the Gothic Quarter, with many incorporating tours, museums and dining into their visit. Visitors of all ages are drawn to Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter for its unique mix of intricate architectural features, historic buildings and entertainment destinations. Located in the Ciutat Vella district, the Gothic Quarter is near Barcelona’s scenic Mediterranean seafront. With its maze of labyrinthian streets, medieval architecture and historic public squares, the Gothic Quarter is known for its charming atmosphere. The Gothic Quarter houses the historic city centre of Old Barcelona, encompassing some of the oldest parts of the city.
