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.
Tobed
This walk shows us the work of the pupils of the CRA Vicort-Isuela in Tobed.
Tobed is located between the Vicor and Algairén mountain ranges, deep in the valley of the river Grío. This remote area is home to one of the buildings that is the paradigm of Mudejar architecture: the church-fortress of the Virgin of Tobed, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Throughout the tour you will be able to appreciate the links between the monument and the town planning, popular architecture and landscape of the town.
Tobed is documented by the Roman chronicler Martial (who was a native of Bílbilis). It may have had an earlier origin, a Celtiberian settlement called Tovenissa. Later, it was the place where the Muslims also decided to settle, leaving a mark and an influence on the way of life that we still inherit today.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 1
Clay was one of the materials used in Mudéjar architecture, along with plaster, wood and alabaster. In addition to being materials used for construction, they were also used for other trades such as craftsmanship. In Tobed there was an entire district of workshops, specialising above all in domestic crockery.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 3
For the Islamic culture, water was a sacred good. The abundance of water favoured the development of agricultural work and, therefore, the improvement and development of hydraulic engineering that can still be seen today. Tobed is located in a privileged scenic spot, between the Algairén and Vicor mountain ranges and crossed by the river Grío.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 6
The Order of the Holy Sepulchre was one of the most important in the territory, and one of the great patrons of Mudejar art. Tobed was owned by the order from the 12th century onwards, inevitably influencing the historical development of the town. In the case of the church of La Virgen de Tobed, we see how ecclesiastical, noble and monarchical patronage come together, including even papal patronage.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 4
After the arrival of the Christians in Tobed in 1120, we can say that the Mudejar period began. The Christians allowed the Muslims, the previous settlers, to remain in the territory, maintaining their religion and customs, but they forced them to live segmented, in neighbourhoods that we call morerías, and also to pay tribute.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 2
The church of Tobed is a fortress church that marks the archetype of the building typology. All the construction materials are combined inside and outside the building, generating a double use, structural and decorative. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 for its unique style, as well as for its magnificent preservation.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 7
