The “Circular from the rural school” project is a cooperation project between rural development groups led by the Asociación Territorio Mudéjar.
The following have participated in the project: ADRI Calatayud-Aranda, ADRI Jiloca-Gallocanta, FEDIVALCA -Valdejalón and Campo de Cariñena-, ASOMO Tarazona and el Moncayo, CEDEMAR -Bajo Aragón Caspe and Ribera Baja del Ebro-, ADRAE -Ribera Alta del Ebro- and ADEFO Cinco Villas.
The objective is to develop educational materials around the Mudejar identity of the towns, placing rural schools and the educational community of the towns as the center of the project.
Based on the work developed, for almost three years, the students of fifteen schools have designed a walk through their town in which we can learn about the main points of interest and their connection with the Mudejar culture.
Calatayud
This walk shows us the work of the students of the Salvador Minguijón school in Calatayud.
Various populations and cultures have passed through Calatayud throughout its history, of which the Islamic period and the medieval period stand out in this route. A stroll through the town reveals its past through its urban layout and the monumental remains that have survived to the present day, particularly the towers.
In the place where we find Calatayud today there were originally a series of Celtiberian settlements. Later it was the place where the Romans founded Bílbilis, of which there are still remains a few kilometres from the town. The Islamic period, when Calatayud as we know it today was founded, and its subsequent development during the Middle Ages, stand out.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 1
After the conquest of Calatayud in 1120, the three cultures that make up the Mudejar culture coexisted in the town: Christians, Muslims and Jews. Each culture lived in its aljama (neighbourhood), preserving its religion and customs and developing economic activities. In Calatayud we can see the Moorish and Jewish quarters with some of its most representative buildings such as the synagogue.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 2
The Mudéjars were particularly skilled in the construction of buildings of unique technical characteristics and beauty, using local materials such as clay or plaster. The tower of San Andrés also offers a rich ornamental repertoire through which the importance of decoration in Mudéjar construction can be understood.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 3
One of the great patrons of Mudéjar art were the military orders. The Order of the Holy Sepulchre has its main headquarters in Calatayud. It was originally a Mudejar convent of great importance, and today part of its cloister is still preserved.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 4
The Mudejar masonry of the collegiate church of Santa María de Calatayud, which corresponds to the tower, the apse and the cloister, was included in the declaration of Mudejar World Heritage in 2001, together with 5 other buildings.
This point is linked to learning activity 5.
Although the Mudejar period came to an end in the 17th century with the expulsion of the Moors, we have preserved a way of working that has survived over the centuries and is the result of the development of different cultures in the same territory over many centuries.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 7
