Santiago de Peñalba

Santiago de Peñalba church is one of the Mozarabic architectural jewels. It's situated in the "Valle del Silencio" (Silence Valley) in the Leonese region of El Bierzo close to Ponferrada in León (Spain).

The "Valle del Silencio" area was full of sanctuaries and monasteries since the 8th century. That's why it was called "La Tebaida Berciana" (Bercian Thebaid).

History

Abbot Salomón promoted its construction in the first one-half of the 10th century, in times of complete prosperity of the Kingdom of León. It was concretely under Ramiro II reign, who expanded the limits of the kingdom beyond the Duero River. Ramiro II made multiple donations to the church and the monastery of the locality.

One of those donations made to the Bishopric of Astorga was the so-called "Cruz de Peñalba" (Cross of Peñalba), symbol of El Bierzo's comarca. This cross is an example of Visigothic goldsmithery influence on the mozarabic models.

Architecture

It's a church with opposed apses, an unusual feature shared with the tenth-century church of San Cebrián de Mazote (also constructed during Kingdom of León apogee).

Its decoration is a mixture of Celtic elements (lunar and astral symbols), Byzantine (its Greek-cross plant), Arab (a little umbrella roof dome covers the principal altar) and Mozarabic (horseshoe arches).

Gallery

External links

* [http://www.arrakis.es/~jalp/penalba.htm Santiago de Peñalba images]
* [http://www.interamericaninstitute.org/work_in_progress.htm The Mudejar and Mozarabic Art]