The character of Mudejar culture
Professor Gonzalo M. Borrás Gualis defined the locality as one of the Aragonese towns where Mudejar architecture acquires a powerful personality, with three Mudejar churches marked by the use of plaster mortar to finish their walls. Added to all this is the survival of a magnificent urban ensemble dotted with 15th century Mudejar houses that make the town an undeniable attraction.
Of the church of San Miguel (14th century), only the perimeter walls, the side chapels and the last two sections of the nave remain, with a bell tower and the remains of a small tower. The church of Santa María, basically built in plaster mortar, is the oldest church in Maluenda. Its imposing presence is highlighted by the arquettes’ viewing gallery and by the preservation of one of the most important Aragonese roofs of the time, made by the master builder Yusuf Adolmalih, whose signature has been preserved. The third Mudejar monument is the church of Santas Justa and Rufina. Completed in 1413, it is a fortress church that masterfully integrates the defensive and religious functions and stands out for its powerful exterior volume and the walkway that runs inside over the side chapels.
Professor Gonzalo M. Borrás Gualis defined the locality as one of the Aragonese towns where Mudejar architecture acquires a powerful personality, with three Mudejar churches marked by the use of plaster mortar to finish their walls. Added to all this is the survival of a magnificent urban ensemble dotted with 15th century Mudejar houses that make the town an undeniable attraction.
Of the church of San Miguel (14th century), only the perimeter walls, the side chapels and the last two sections of the nave remain, with a bell tower and the remains of a small tower. The church of Santa María, basically built in plaster mortar, is the oldest church in Maluenda. Its imposing presence is highlighted by the arquettes’ viewing gallery and by the preservation of one of the most important Aragonese roofs of the time, made by the master builder Yusuf Adolmalih, whose signature has been preserved. The third Mudejar monument is the church of Santas Justa and Rufina. Completed in 1413, it is a fortress church that masterfully integrates the defensive and religious functions and stands out for its powerful exterior volume and the walkway that runs inside over the side chapels.
Christian tastes
Maluenda is a monumental town with an urban layout with Moorish roots that unfolds under the protection of the 9th century rammed-earth castle and its watchtower, popularly known as El Palomar. The castle is of Islamic origin, although archaeological remains show evidence of a possible earlier Celtiberian settlement. The tower is contemporary with the castle and was built by Muslim masters.
The town is one of the most interesting examples of the Mudejar phenomenon in Aragon, in which the best buildings of religious Mudejar architecture appear in areas with no Mudejar architecture at all. This was the case, for example, in Ateca, Tobed and Cervera de la Cañada.
With its trio of churches, Maluenda also shows that Mudejar art prevailed at all social levels and was fully accepted by medieval Aragonese society.
Other urban elements of great interest in the town include the 14th century arch that was closed with a gate and rake and formed part of the town’s defence; the convent of the Discalced Carmelites, and the hermitages – including those of Saints Gervasio and Protasio – due to their location on a vantage point with excellent views of the Jiloca valley.
Maluenda is a monumental town with an urban layout with Moorish roots that unfolds under the protection of the 9th century rammed-earth castle and its watchtower, popularly known as El Palomar. The castle is of Islamic origin, although archaeological remains show evidence of a possible earlier Celtiberian settlement. The tower is contemporary with the castle and was built by Muslim masters.
The town is one of the most interesting examples of the Mudejar phenomenon in Aragon, in which the best buildings of religious Mudejar architecture appear in areas with no Mudejar architecture at all. This was the case, for example, in Ateca, Tobed and Cervera de la Cañada.
With its trio of churches, Maluenda also shows that Mudejar art prevailed at all social levels and was fully accepted by medieval Aragonese society.
Other urban elements of great interest in the town include the 14th century arch that was closed with a gate and rake and formed part of the town’s defence; the convent of the Discalced Carmelites, and the hermitages – including those of Saints Gervasio and Protasio – due to their location on a vantage point with excellent views of the Jiloca valley.
Information
Town Hall 976 893 007
www.maluenda.es
Association for the Integral Development of the Region of Calatayud and the Region of Aranda
galcar.es
VISIT MALUENDA
976 633 296
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Tourism Calatayud Region
comarcadecalatayud.com
Centre for Bilbilitan Studies
cebilbilitanos.com
The Cid’s Way
www.caminodelcid.org
Territorio Mudéjar Network
The city council has been a founding member of Territorio Mudéjar since 13 September 2018.
He is a member of the Board of Directors as Treasurer.
Projects Territorio Mudéjar in Maluenda
Monuments | View the project
Pedagogy | View the project
Mudetrad Project | View the project
Mudejar wood | View the project
Mudejar civil architecture | View the project
Mudejar plaster | View the project
Mudejar and Euclidean Geometry | View the project
Didactic Mudejar, the guide | View the project
Preventive town planning | View the project
‘Circular’ Family walks | View the project
Mudéjar RGB | View the project
Assessment of the muslim-friendly potential of Territorio Mudéjar | View the project
Maluenda in the social media
Facebook @ayuntamientomaluenda
@turismo.comunidadcalatayud
Intsagram:@aytomaluenda @comarcacalatayud
