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Ávila Cathedral: Exterior detail, west portal and missing tower of the facade; to the left is a mechanical clock by Guas

Date

Circa 1910

Creator

G. Massiot & cie
Part of: Architectural Lantern Slides of Spain
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries

The sculpture was moved from the west façade and reset above a flattened arch by Juan Guas, who came from Toledo in 1459, early in his career, to execute a new west portal, of which the huge wild men now flanking the doorway formed part. The façade was redesigned by Ceferino Enríquez de la Serna (1779-1786).

Building began with the five ambulatory chapels enclosed by the semicircular wall that formed part of the city ramparts. The design draws on Burgundian sources, but it also shows a wider awareness of Early Gothic experiments in northern France. The double ambulatory with slender columns is derived from Saint-Denis Abbey and other Ile-de-France buildings. In the 13th century a sacristy with a complex rib vault, a chapter house with eight-part vault and squinches and a cloister were added, but construction slowed in the nave. Juan Guas was commissioned for a chapel in the cloister in 1471, and Martín de Solórzano designed the library (Capilla del Cardenal) in 1495. Other Renaissance work was done up to 1603.

Images

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Metadata

Creator
G. Massiot & cie
Date
Circa 1910
Publisher
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Material Type
photographs
Conditions Governing Access
To view the physical lantern slide, please contact the Architecture Library to arrange an appointment

Metadata

Campus Location
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Link to Finding Aid
https://curate.nd.edu/show/t435gb22k17
This digital collection may not include all items or all of the information available about the source collection. See the finding aid for more information.

Metadata

Contact Us

Our collection information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. If you have spotted an error, please contact Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries at asklib@nd.edu.


Also from Architectural Lantern Slides of Spain

Church of San Miguel: Overall view, facade facing the Plaza Mayor

Church of San Miguel: Overall view, facade facing the Plaza Mayor

Convent and Church of Saint Teresa: Overall view, facade of the Baroque church

Convent and Church of Saint Teresa: Overall view, facade of the Baroque church

Church of Saint Thomas the Elder: Overall view of facade on the Plaza de Italia

Church of Saint Thomas the Elder: Overall view of facade on the Plaza de Italia

Ávila Cathedral: Exterior detail, north portal, late 13th century

Ávila Cathedral: Exterior detail, north portal, late 13th century

Ávila Cathedral: Interior view looking into choir with the trascoro and tomb of Bishop Alonso de Madrigal

Ávila Cathedral: Interior view looking into choir with the trascoro and tomb of Bishop Alonso de Madrigal

Ávila Cathedral: Interior detail, trascoro by Giraldo

Ávila Cathedral: Interior detail, trascoro by Giraldo

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