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The history of Arcos de la Frontera

Summary | Prehistory » Christians | Ponce de León Family | From 1544 | Architecture

Architecture

Evidence of the history of Arcos de la Frontera is there for us all to see in the design of the streets and buildings in its Old Quarter.

As in many places with a long history of continuous occupation like Arcos de la Frontera, building materials tend to be recycled rather than wasted. The Romans, for instance, have literally left their mark on the town. Carved classical columns can be seen on the corner of many streets. They are also set in the corners of buildings, originally put there to minimize damage from the passing carts of that time! Some of the columns are laid upside down, which shows they were seen as no more than a handy building material.

Examples include the plain, unadorned Doric style of column (picture 1, below); or Ionic (picture 2) with its typically scrolled capital; or the more elaborately embellished Corinthian style (picture 3):

1	2	3
Doric column	Ionic column	Corinthian column

There are also signs of the Muslim occupation all around. Although some of their larger constructions have been built upon and are now Christian churches, Arab towers and arches abound; these, together with the layout of the streets and the presence of the old castle (picture 4, below) near St. Mary's church are direct evidence of Islamic influence. The beautiful and colourful inner patios (picture 5) of many of the private houses, covered with geometrically decorated tiles, are all clearly the result of the former Moorish occupation. And the recently created water garden (picture 6) in the Old Quarter is another link to the Arabic past.

4	5	6
Castle	Inner patio	Water garden

Architecturally, the important religious buildings and houses of the nobility in the Old Quarter are a rich mixture of Arab, Mudejar, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neo-Classical styles. Examples of each are shown below. Hold your mouse over each picture for more information.

Moorish (pre 1264)	Mudejar (1264-)	Gothic 1200-1400
Moorish arch	Mudejar ceiling	Gothic chapel

Renaissance 1400-1600	Baroque 1600-1700	Neo-Classical 1750-1880
Renaissance convent	Baroque church	Neo-classical bell tower

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