KULTURA / CULTURE
Pravi dragulj Sevilje svakako je „Casa de Pilatos“, savršen spoj renesanse i mudehar stila A true jewel of Seville, Casa de Pilatos is a seamless blend of Renaissance and Mudéjar styles
The word itself is derived from the Arabic word mudajjan, which translates as “domesticated” or “tamed”. When Christian kings took Seville from the Moors in the 13 th century, they didn’t expel Arabic architects, masons and craftsmen. Mesmerised by the opulence, light and aesthetics of Moorish palac- es, the local Christian rulers and aris- tocracy engaged the same craftsmen to build their residences and churches. This led to the birth of Mudéjar, represent- ing a fascinating hybrid style in which Christian and Renaissance edifices were adorned with lavish Islamic decorations. Instead of cold stone, Mudéjar brings the warmth of baked bricks, fili- gree carved plaster ornamentation that’s reminiscent of the finest lace and spec- tacular wooden ceilings called Artesana- do, which are assembled in intricate star motifs without the use of a single nail. A special trademark are the Azulejos tiles, which are hand-painted ceramic tiles with vivid colours and geometric pat- terns that line the lower parts of walls, providing a cooling effect during swel- tering Andalusian summers. Representing the crown jewel of this architecture is the Royal Alcázar of Se- ville (Real Alcázar de Sevilla). This com- plex contains the Palace of King Pedro I, which was built in the 14 th century and is considered the inimitable pinnacle of
the Mudéjar style. Spain’s King Pedro the Cruel admired Islamic art so much that he invited the most talented crafts- men from Granada and Toledo to create his breathtaking palace. The Courtyard of the Maidens (Patio de las Doncellas), with its horseshoe arches, marble col- umns and flawlessly mirrored reflection in the water, is pure architectural poetry. Just a few streets away is the Casa de Pilatos (Pilate’s House), which is wide- ly considered the most beautiful private palace in Seville. Built at the turn of the 15 th and 16 th centuries at the order of the powerful Enriquez de Ribera family, this residence is a masterful blend of the Mudéjar style and Italian Renaissance. While its inner courtyard captivates vis- itors with the largest private collection of ancient marble sculptures and thou- sands of unique ceramic tiles, the Mudé- jar ceilings in the salon spaces testify to its unprecedented opulence. Mudéjar architecture didn’t remain trapped in the past, but rather experi- enced a new renaissance through the so- called neo-Mudéjar style that emerged at the start of the 20 th century and is best represented by the monumental Plaza de España. In Seville, Mudéjar is the visual language of the city, which serves to remind us that the most beau- tiful art is created when different cul- tures complement each other.
40 | Arhitektura » Architecture
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