HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE II MODULE

ST
NO. 7
A.Y. 2015-2016 1 Semester

RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

I. INFLUENCES
- Charles V, who ruled as Holy Roman Emperor in 1519 favored antiquarian classical style
inspired by his visits to Italy. He regarded the ancient Imperial Roman art as the concrete
expression of absolute power
- the Spanish Inquisition, under the rule of Philipp II, converted the remaining Muslim and
Jewish colonies, Later, Isabela gave the Moslems the alternative conversion or expulsion.
Among those who did not convert were fine architectural craftsmen

II. ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER

RESOURCES AND BUILDING TECHNIQUES
 Architecture more suited to hot climate; low-pitched roofs, small windows, open-air
staircases, courtyards for internal circulation (Patios)
 Granite was the principal building material combined with white stucco. Bricks (the main
building material of the Muslims) was used with intricate stucco decorations.
 Glazed tiles (azulejos) and decorative iron grilles (rejas).

III. SPAIN
A. LATE 15TH – EARLY 16TH CENTURY
- transition from Gothic to Renaissance style dominated by Plateresque
- ornaments may spread over whole façade or concentrated around the doors and
windows where they contrast with plain wall surfaces

TWO PERIODS
1. GOTHIC PLATERESQUE
2. RENAISSANCE PLATERESQUE – works involved Italianate Classical motifs which were
mostly used to embellish a façade or superimposed upon Medieval compositions

B. CLASSICAL PERIOD (1556-1650)

- marked by pursuit styles using principles from Italian Renaissance

IMPORTANT ARCHITECTS
1. PEDRO MACHUCA
2. JUAN DE HERRERA
3. JUAN BAUTISTA DE TOLEDO

C. CHURRIGUERESQUE (Baroque and Rococo 1650-1750)

- a reaction against Herrera and his followers, this style was greatly influenced by
Italian Baroque but as not as fantastically extravagant

THREE PHASES
1. the use of “salamonica”
2. the use of “estipite”
3. fuses the first two elements in the emerging Neoclassical styles

D. NEO-CLASSICAL (1750 – 1830)

- turned more and more to Ancient models

IV. PORTUGAL
A. MANUELINE STYLE
- contemporary of Plateresque in Spain

Arch. Ralph Intal 1|P age

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE II MODULE
ST
NO. 7
A.Y. 2015-2016 1 Semester

- decorative rather than structural, superimposed upon Gothic forms, drew inspirations
from the voyages of the discoverers

B. BAROQUE and ROCOCO

- Sudden wealth from the gold and diamonds from Brazil led to an increased building
activity
- In 1755, after the Lisbon earthquake, a reconstruction program led by the Marquis or
Pombal gave rise to the POMBALINE STYLE of town planning characterized by:
a. regular grid street plan
b. plain, nearly uniform facades
c. standardized building elements

V. CONTRIBUTION OF SPANISH RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE

 Plateresque elements
 Development of town squares

VI. NOTABLE EXAMPLES

1. THE ESCORIAL (1562 – 82, for Phillip II)

2. PALACE OF CHARLES V at GRANADA (1526

3. THE ALCAZAR at TOLEDO

4. VALLADOLID CATHEDRAL (designed 1585)

Arch. Ralph Intal 2|P age