San Julián de los Prados

San Julián de los Prados, also known as Santullano, is a Pre-Ramirense church from the beginning of the ninth century in Oviedo, the capital city of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. It is one of the greatest works of Asturian art and was declared an Historical-Artistic Monument by the Spanish Ministry of Culture in June 1917 and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on the 2nd December 1998.

The church's construction was ordered by Alfonso II of Asturias and was built by the court architect Tioda c.830 [cite book |last=Moffitt |first=John Francis |title= The Arts in Spain |year= 1999 |publisher= Thames and Hudson |location= London |language= English |isbn= 0500203156] .It is dedicated to the martyred Egyptian saints Julian and Basilissa.

Architecture

The spacious church clearly displays the characteristics of its style. It is of basilican plan with a nave and two aisles separated by square piers which support semi-circular arches and with a transept of impressive height. The iconostasis, that separates the sanctuary from the rest of the church is remarkably similar in appearance to a triumphal arch. The size and originality of the church stands out and distinguishes it from works of Visigothic art. However, without doubt, that which most attracts attention to this church is the pictorial decoration, with aniconic frescoes (stucco, very well executed), painted in three layers, with architectural decoration that bears clear Roman influences. Although it appears more a monastic rather than a royal church, a gallery was reserved for the king in the transept.

Of the three original entrances to the church, two have been filled in.

Decoration

culptural

The only sculptural decoration that has survived to the present day is that of the marble capitals on which rest the semi-circular arches. There are also two marble flagstones with hexagonal geometric figures and floral motives that are found in the central chapel.

Pictorial

The pictorial decoration is the most important element that can be seen in the church. It is without doubt the most important of its time, in its extent and conservation as much as in the variety of icons represented, in all of Western Europe. [ It can only be compared in extent with the church of St. John of Müstair, a Carolingian church in Graubünden, Switzerland, whose frescoes date from c.800AD. In Germany, on Reichenau Island, is found the church of St. George of Oberzell. In this church the frescoes are also of a similar extent but they date from the tenth century] cite book
last = García de Castro Valdés
first = César
title = Santa María de Arzabal
work = Arte Prerrománico de Asturias
date = 2004
publisher= Oviedo: Ediciones Nobel
isbn = 84-8459-181-6] .

Notes

Bibliography

* cite book
last = Arias Paramo
first = Lorenzo
title = San Julián de los Prados. Arte prerrománico asturiano
date = 1997
publisher = Gijón: Trea Ediciones
isbn = 978-84-89427-74-7
* cite book
last = Arias Páramo
first = Lorenzo
title =Iglesia de San Julián de los Prados. Dibujos Planimétricos
date = 1991
publisher = Fundación Museo Evaristo Valle
isbn = 978-84-604-0881-9
* cite book
last = Moffitt
first = John F.
title =The arts in Spain.
date = 1999
publisher = Thames and Hudson
location = London
isbn = 0500203156

See also

* Asturian art
* Spanish architecture

External links

* [http://www.spain.info/TourSpain/Arte%20y%20Cultura/Monumentos/C/BP/0/San%20Julian%20de%20los%20Prados?Language=en Page with information on the church and opening times (in English).]
* [http://www.vivirasturias.com/asturias/turismo-rural/6723/13751/0/iglesia-san-julian-de-los-prados-de-oviedo/index.html Page with lots of photos of the church]
* [http://www.turismo-prerromanico.es/arterural/santullano/santuficing.htm Spanish Pre-Romanesque Art: San Julian de los Prados]