Page 183 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

CENTR AL AND EASTERN P Y RENEES  181

Lower Mozarabic Church VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
This church was built by
Mozarabs – Christians who Practical Information
lived under Muslim rule, Road Map C5.
whose architecture and n 974 35 51 19.
culture were strongly Open Mar–May, Sep & Oct:
influenced by Islamic styles. 10am–2pm & 3:30–7pm daily;
Jun–Aug: 10am–2pm & 3–8pm
daily; Nov–Feb: 10am–2pm Sun–
Fri & 10am–5pm Sat. &
∑ monasteriosanjuan.com

. Capilla de San
Victorián
The resting place of the
abbots, this Gothic
chapel is entered
through a beautiful
Mozarabic portal.

Capitals
On the 20 Romanesque
capitals dating from the 12th
century are scenes from the
Old and New Testaments in
chronological order. They were
created by an anony mous artist,
referred to as the Master of San
Juan de la Peña. The capitals
constitute a pictorial Bible,
beginning with the Creation
and finishing with the Ascension
of Christ. The Romanesque style
treated sculpture as subordinate
to architecture, which is why
some of the figures seem out
of proportion with each other
or awkwardly placed.

. Cloister
The cloistered courtyard was
meant to symbolize the New
Jerusalem. The capitals of its A Romanesque capital in the
columns display wonderful monastery cloister
carved biblical scenes.

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