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.
Utebo
The route has been carried out following the working model of the schools that participated in the project and adapted to the town of Alagón.
Utebo is located just a few kilometres from Zaragoza. This is why, throughout history, the two places have been closely linked. This fact is perfectly reflected in the influences in the history of art, and, in particular, in the Mudejar style. Utebo preserves a Mudejar monument of incomparable beauty and characteristics, the tower of the church of the Asunción de Nuestra Señora, which is one of the last examples of the style. A stroll through its streets will also allow you to appreciate some examples of Aragonese Renaissance architecture.
In the territory that today corresponds to Utebo we have evidence of a Muslim population since the 8th century. The Christians conquered the territory in the 12th century, allowing the previous settlers to stay, respecting their culture and religion.
The Christians commissioned the Mudejars to carry out the constructions, and they were accustomed to using a series of techniques, materials and decorations specific to their culture. Mudejar art was highly appreciated by the Christian lords.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 1.
The Mudejars built many types of constructions. Churches, palaces and towers stand out. The towers are very complex, as they evolved over the years. The latest examples are called ‘late or mixed towers’, characterised by a low quadrangular body and a high octagonal body and an abundance of decoration. This is the case of the tower of the church of Utebo, dating from the 16th century.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 5.
During the Middle Ages, three cultures coexisted in our territory: Christians, Jews and Muslims. Under the power of the Christian quarter, we find quarters called Jewish quarters and Moorish quarters. These spaces are aljamas where each culture was organised, with spaces for worship, as well as places for social gatherings (market places). In Utebo there could have been these three cultures coexisting in parallel.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 2
In Utebo, we can see those materials used for the Mudejar tower, adapted to common dwellings, such as houses and palaces. These construction techniques derive from the Islamic tradition and share ornamental elements and materials. The most common materials are clay, plaster, alabaster and wood.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 3
Water is a divine symbol for Muslims. For the Mudejars, Muslims who remained in the Iberian Peninsula after the Christian conquest, water was fundamental.
The Arabs were pioneers in the introduction of irrigation techniques. In Utebo there are irrigation channels that irrigate the fields surrounding the town and shape its landscape, which changes throughout the seasons.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 6
In Utebo we still have many examples of Renaissance palace-houses. These buildings allow us to talk about the use of materials and construction techniques of Islamic tradition that continue to be used throughout time in our territory. In 1610 the Moors (Mudejars converted to Christianity) were expelled from Aragon, which meant the end of the Mudejar style. Even so, we can still find buildings that are built following the same construction tradition.
This point is linked to the didactic activity 7
