Tower of the church of San Pedro Apóstol, Romanos
Plaza Mayor, s/n. 50491 Romanos (Zaragoza)
CURRENT PROTECTION STATUS: ACI
TYPE OF ASSET: Property
CATEGORY: Religious
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Mudejar
CONSTRUCTION DATE: 15th century
CURRENT PROTECTION STATUS: ACI
TYPE OF ASSET: Property
CATEGORY: Religious
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Mudejar
CONSTRUCTION DATE: 15th century
One of the most interesting examples of Mudejar art in Aragon is the tower of the church of San Pedro Apóstol in Romanos. It is considered the purest
archetype of a Christian tower structure deriving from the noble defensive towers in the region of Aragon. The entrance was originally raised, clearly influenced by military architecture. The tower is located on the plains of Campo de Romanos, standing at a height of some 30 meters.
It has a square floorplan and a hollow interior divided into rooms on different levels that are connected to each other. The lower rooms are covered by pointed barrel vaults, the second to last of which runs perpendicular to the rest. The uppermost room, which currently houses the belfry, features a rib vault with diagonal nerves, liernes and ridge ribs. The belfry has just one opening on the south side, whereas the other three sides have twin pointed arches; above them, there is a knot motif at the keystone of the arch, and the openings are set into an alfiz frame, a detail widely used in Aragonese Mudejar art.
The bottom section of the tower exterior originally featured a gate, like those of the towers in Teruel, which has now been covered over but is a clear sign of the connection to the defensive compound. While there is nothing to document the date of construction, its ornamental nature indicates that it was probably built around 1400. It displays certain innovative decorative motifs such as three courses of staggered angled bricks (also seen in other locations, like Herrera de los Navarros and Alfajarín). The upper part is octagonal in shape and dates from the 16th century, probably added after the construction of the church of San Pedro.
archetype of a Christian tower structure deriving from the noble defensive towers in the region of Aragon. The entrance was originally raised, clearly influenced by military architecture. The tower is located on the plains of Campo de Romanos, standing at a height of some 30 meters.
It has a square floorplan and a hollow interior divided into rooms on different levels that are connected to each other. The lower rooms are covered by pointed barrel vaults, the second to last of which runs perpendicular to the rest. The uppermost room, which currently houses the belfry, features a rib vault with diagonal nerves, liernes and ridge ribs. The belfry has just one opening on the south side, whereas the other three sides have twin pointed arches; above them, there is a knot motif at the keystone of the arch, and the openings are set into an alfiz frame, a detail widely used in Aragonese Mudejar art.
The bottom section of the tower exterior originally featured a gate, like those of the towers in Teruel, which has now been covered over but is a clear sign of the connection to the defensive compound. While there is nothing to document the date of construction, its ornamental nature indicates that it was probably built around 1400. It displays certain innovative decorative motifs such as three courses of staggered angled bricks (also seen in other locations, like Herrera de los Navarros and Alfajarín). The upper part is octagonal in shape and dates from the 16th century, probably added after the construction of the church of San Pedro.
In the second section of the tower, right above the gate that has been covered over, there is a machicolation interrupting the decorative scheme, which would have been used as a vertical defense for the gate. The third section is decorated with panels of interlacing figure eights, a Muslim decorative motif rarely used on Mudejar towers, but also present on the towers of Santa María in Calatayud and in Quinto de Ebro.
Interventions
Restoration, 20th to 21st century
The restoration work was led by Javier Ibargüen, who left the addition at the top in place.
The restoration work was led by Javier Ibargüen, who left the addition at the top in place.
Declarations
Declaration, 20th century
The Official Gazette of Aragon (BOA) from October 26, 2001 published Decree 233/2001 October 2, by the Government of Aragon, declaring the tower of the church of San Pedro Apóstol in Romanos (Zaragoza) an Asset of Cultural Interest.
The Official Gazette of Aragon (BOA) from October 26, 2001 published Decree 233/2001 October 2, by the Government of Aragon, declaring the tower of the church of San Pedro Apóstol in Romanos (Zaragoza) an Asset of Cultural Interest.
Bibliography
GALIAY, J. Arte mudejar aragonés, Institución Fernándo el Católico, Zaragoza, 2002.
SANMIGUEL MATEO, A. Torres de ascendencia islámica en las comarcas de Calatayud y Daroca, Centro de Estudios Bilbilitanos, Institución “Fernando el Católico”.
Tierra Mudéjar. El mudéjar Aragonés, Patrimonio Mundial, Heraldo de Aragón, D.L. 2002
TRASOBARES RUIZ, VICTORIA E., RUIZ BAZÁN, IRENE., “Territorio Mudéjar. Las torres, técnica y creatividad”, La magia de viajar por Aragón, número 126, julio – agosto 2021, pp. 16-23.
Appendixes
Tower of the church of San Pedro Apóstol
Plaza Mayor, s/n.
50491 Romanos (Zaragoza)
