Visigothic Art and Architecture - Visigothic Architecture

Visigothic Architecture

The only remaining examples of their architecture from the 6th century are the church of San Cugat del Vallés in Barcelona, the hermitage and church of Santa Maria de Lara in Burgos, Saint Frutuoso Chapel in (Braga), the church of S.Gião (Nazaré) and the few remnants of the church at Cabeza de Griego, Cuenca. However, their style developed over the next centuries, though the prime remaining examples of it are mostly rural and often run-down. Some of the characteristics of their architecture are:

• Generally basilican in layout, sometimes a Greek cross plan or, more rarely, a combination of the two. The spaces are highly compartmentalised.
• Horseshoe arches without keystones.
• A rectangular, exterior apse.
• Use of columns and pillars with Corinthian capitals of unique design.
• Barrel vaults with cupolas at the crosses.
• Walls of ashlar blocks, occasionally alternating with Roman brickwork.
• Decoration commonly of animal or plant motifs.

Exemplars include:

• Church of San Juan Bautista in Baños de Cerrato (province of Palencia)
• Crypt of San Antolín in the cathedral of Palencia (province of Palencia)
• Church of San Pedro de la Nave in San Pedro de la Nave-Almendra (province of Zamora)
• Church of Santa Comba in Bande (province of Ourense)
• Chapel of San Xes de Francelos in Ribadavia (province of Ourense)
• Church of San Pedro de la Mata (in ruins) in Sonseca (province of Toledo)
• Church of Santa María de Melque in San Martín de Montalbán (province of Toledo)
• Basilica of Santa María de Batres in Carranque (province of Toledo)
• Hermitage of Santa María in Quintanilla de las Viñas (province of Burgos)
• Church of Santa Lucía del Trampal in Alcuéscar (province of Cáceres)
• Head of the Church of San Miguel de los Fresnos (in ruins) in Fregenal de la Sierra (province of Badajoz)
• São Gião (Nazaré)