- 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 toPonferrada 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 theDuero 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'scomarca . This cross is an example ofVisigothic 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 duringKingdom 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) andMozarabic (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]
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