Page 98 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

96  NOR THERN SP AIN REGION B Y REGION

Romanesque Churches of Oviedo

Established in the 10th century, the Kingdom Santa María del
of Asturias cultivated Visigothic traditions, Naranco This
aisleless church
creating a local, highly original style of art is illuminated by
known as Asturian. Long before the appear ance sunlight entering
of Romanesque, the Asturian style was through the arcaded
characterized by barrel vaults covering entire galleries (solaria) –
buildings, the use of buttressing and elongated a novel solution in
Euro pean architec-
arches, as well as sculptural decoration in low ture of the time.
relief, inspired by Visigothic art. Preserved The nearby Centro
around Oviedo are several superb examples de Recepción e
of this style, such as Santa María del Naranco, Interpretación
Prerrománico has
San Miguel de Lillo and San Julián de los information about
Prados, which are considered to be the most the churches in
interesting historic monuments in Asturias. the area.
Arcaded galleries
create a light church
interior.

Triple-arched Windows The arches of the
arcades are slightly elon gated rather than
semicircular, which lends the building a
certain slenderness.

Byzantine Medallion
The interior of Santa
María del Naranco
features, among other
things, a Byzantine
medallion. There
are also medallions
above the columns
supporting the arcades.

The column shafts
are carved with a
rope motif.

Church Interior The Santa María del Naranco
grand and austere interior The church, built in 848, was used
of the church is built on as a royal chamber known as the
a rectangular plan, 20 m aula regia, where royal councils
(66 ft) long and 60 m of the court of King Ramiro I
(197 ft) wide. The use of
barrel vaults with a 6-m would be held. It was a two-
(20-ft) span was a major storey building, with its lower
technical achievement. part divided into three sections.

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