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.
Ricla
This walk shows us the work of the students of CEIP Maestro Monreal in Ricla.
Ricla has been populated by different cultures throughout its history. However, one of the most splendid periods was undoubtedly during the Islamic domination, which is the origin of its toponym, as well as the origin of its castle, the starting point of the route through the town. During the walk, we can see other monuments such as the church and Mudejar tower or the old sugar factory next to the weir.
Ricla was populated by Celtiberians, a nearby foundation known as Nertóbriga. It was also settled by the Romans at a later date. It was later under Islamic rule, from which time we have inherited its urban layout. After the Christian conquest, the Muslims who inhabited the territory became known as Mudejars.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 1.
The Mudéjars were particularly skilled in the construction of buildings of unique technical characteristics and beauty. The Mudéjars made many types of buildings, depending on the function and the person who commissioned them. The tower of Ricla is a late tower, which is called a mixed tower because it mixes a low quadrangular body and a high octagonal body.
This point is linked to the didact activity 5.
The construction of this Mudejar temple was carried out in three stages: in the 15th century, in the 16th century and in the 18th century. Inside, we can see most of the materials used in Mudéjar buildings: clay (brick), plaster (mortar and mortars), wood and alabaster.
This point is related to the didactic activity 3.
The Christians allowed the Muslims, the previous settlers, to remain in the territory, as they were needed to sustain the local economy, and as they were in great demand at the time for their work, which included crafts, agriculture and construction. Moorish and Jewish quarters acted as small towns within urban centres, with their own layout and social hierarchy.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 2
The abundance of water favoured the development of agricultural works and, therefore, the improvement and development of hydraulic engineering that can still be seen today. The river Jalón flows through Ricla, around which a large Mudejar population was concentrated in medieval times. There are several dams in the course of the river Jalón in the municipal district of Ricla, such as the Azud de Jalón.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 6
Mudejar art came to an end in the 17th century, when the Moors were expelled. However, we have a style that has survived through the centuries. No doubt this is due to sharing a culture and a territory for a long time. This is why, in various contemporary constructions, we find elements that remind us of the Mudejar style. This building is known as the Azucarera (sugar factory), where alcohol was made from sugar beet.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 7
