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ROMANESQUE ART EN LEÓN
SAHAGÚN
Where Romanesque art is transformed
Along the Camino de Santiago, the Leonese
town of Sahagún is much more than a stop
along the way. Between the 11th and 13th cen-
turies, it became a key point in the evolution of
Romanesque art, giving rise to a unique va-
riant: Mudéjar Romanesque. Here, traditional
stone gave way to brick, and the sobriety of
Romanesque architecture began to engage
with Islamic influences, resulting in a hybrid
style that would mark an era.
The most representative example of this tran-
sition is the Church of San Tirso, built in the
early 12th century. It is one of the first Roma-
nesque churches in the peninsula to be built
entirely of brick. Its elegant three-tiered tower,
walls adorned with blind arcades, and use of
construction techniques typical of Muslim alari-
fes make it a pioneering work. Although partially
reconstructed in the 20th century, it retains its ori-
ginal expressive power.
Very nearby is the Church of San Lorenzo, from
the first half of the 13th century, which follows the
same construction scheme: brickwork, horses-
hoe arches, a tripartite apse, and a vertical tower
that dominates the ensemble. Its basilica layout
and the decorative use of bands and horizontal
friezes reinforce the link between Christian tradi-
tion and Mudéjar influences.
Another example of this aesthetic is the Church
of La Peregrina, a former Franciscan convent
that also served as a pilgrims’ hospital. Its sober
architecture, recently restored, maintains the
characteristic brick harmony of the area. Today
it hosts cultural activities, though it still preserves
its hospitable spirit.
Church of San Tirso
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