Architecture and History in Spain
Spanish architecture has the power to leave one captivated. The intricate details and majestic structures make it world-renowned and a solid base of Spanish culture and history generalized into categories in chronological order by period.
Have you ever wanted to explore Gaudi’s cathedral, La Sagrada Familia, that has been under construction for more than 130 years? Or Gehry’s giant titanium cathedral in the shape of an old ship? The history of Spain is broad and has led to multiple influences in Spanish architecture. Invasions, the rise of Christian religion, the Renaissance, and other foreign influences have transformed Spanish architecture throughout history.
Source: MoveToTraveling
Pre-historic Spanish Architecture
Period: 3000 to 4000 BC
The first record of Spanish architecture are burial chambers that date back to 4000 BC. These structures, known as dolmens, and believed to be used as sites of pilgrimage and prayer, were built by the first people to settle in the Iberian Peninsula.
Segovia, Spain Source: WorldFootPrints
Roman Style Architecture
Period: 218 BC to 410 AD
The Roman conquest of Spain led to the Iberian Peninsula’s Romanization. This period of Spanish architecture transformed settlements and allowed the population to adopt the culture and way of life of the Roman empire.
Source: Fascinating Spain
Mudejar Style Architecture
Period: 12th to 16th Century
The Mudejar style, resulting from Jewish, Muslim and Christian cultures living side by side, emerged in the 12th century on the Iberian peninsula. The style has influences from Syria and Persia. The Mudéjar people were known as artists who loved working with their hands. Elements that stand out from this period are horseshoe arches with columns; intricate geometry; octagonal towers; glazed tile mosaics; and stucco, wood, and brick work.
Barcelona Cathedral Source: CN Traveler
Gothic Architecture
Period: 12th to 14th century
In Spain, the Gothic style thrived during the 13th century, and is the most common and quick architectural style to identify. There are specifically eight different Spanish Gothic styles. They followed Mudejar architecture and fused European and Romanesque techniques. The common elements are pointed arches, stained glass windows, gargoyles, thin walls, vaulted ceilings, and clusters of thin columns.
Madrid’s Royal Palace Source: Culture Trip
Baroque Architecture
Period: 16th to 18th century
Like Renaissance style architecture, the Baroque style came directly from Italian influences. It borrowed elements from the French Rococo style and carried particular elements that differentiated it from other styles. The Baroque Spanish architecture focuses on embellished facades, extreme florid detailing, and elaborate sculptural ornaments with lavish use of stone, brick, and metal.
There are many more varieties of architecture found in Spain, such as the Cistercian, Renaissance and the Neoclassical period styles. Combined, they rival some of the best in the world and, undoubtedly, teach us a lot about the history of this diverse country.
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