April 13th, 2009 The Many Facades of a Cathedral
Madrid has been inhabited since the times of pre-history. However the first recorded data comes from the 9th Century when it was ordered by the first Mohammad, that a small palace by built in his honor. That space is now occupied by the five star Madrid hotels and the Palacio Real. During those times however, a small city built up surround the castle along the Manzanares river. Mayrit is the name the Muslims in the region have given to it as it means the, source of water. This name eventually transformed into Madrid. Many Moors and Jews lived in the city until they were evacuated after the mid 1,300′s.
Many of the architecturally famous Baroque buildings of today were constructed during this time. A new cathedral in honor of the Virgin de Alundena was being planned by the beginning of year 1,700, however the construction was not undertaken until more than 150 years later in 1879. This project was overseen by Francisco de Cubas, and was intended to reflect the Gothic style. The Spanish Civil war halted the project and there it sat abandoned. In 1950, production began again. Re-invented once again,architect Fernando Chueca Goitia was determined to create an exterior to the cathedral that would match the neighboring Palacio Real. And finally, being consecrated and blessed by the Pope, the project was completed in 1993. This city in Spain has been reconstructing itself for years through the architecture and has become world renown as an innovative and modern city, still holding true to the European traditions through which is was founded.
Related posts: