Tower of San Cristóbal

Tower of San Cristobal, Toledo

Of the old church of San Cristóbal in the city of Toledo (Spain) only there is, at present, one Mudéjar tower.

The missing church seemed to be identified with a mosque founded by Fathibn Ibrahim al'Umawi, known as al-Qasari (934 - 1013). In 1187 there is already news of the existence of the church of San Cristóbal, as such; and in the 15th century we are aware of some transformations made to adapt it, it seems, to Greco-Roman taste, cruciform plant and cruiser very little accused.

In 1842 the parochiality was suppressed, the building being disentailed and sold to individuals.

In 1959 the demolition of the church proceeded, in view of the ruinous state of the same one. As only testimony has remained its tower, relatable, at least in its foundations, with an earlier minaret.

The tower was rebuilt between the second half of the 12th century and the first half of the 13th century, being linked to the first phase of Toledan Mudéjar.

Description

The tower is of square plan, in its day had to have a central machon, around which revolved the stairs. It is made of taped masonry which, at the base, before its current restoration, had the appearance of ashlar. To these first strings correspond chains of stone, whereas in the rest of the tower these are of brick. The walls have the characteristics mentioned, with the only exception of having a Visigothic piece reused.

With regard to the modulation of the gaps, it is necessary to emphasize the organization of the spans in a pointed horseshoe arch, framed in a slight protrusion by a side arranged in the manner of an alphabet. Such an organization has evident Almohad links, and its presence in the church of San Cipriano in Toledo is also confirmed. Despite this, it is an unusual model in the Toledan Mudéjar.

References

• This article is a derivative of the provision relating to the process of declaration or initiation of a Property of Cultural Interest published in Official Gazette No. 275 on November 14, 1996 (text), which is free of known restrictions under the law Of author in accordance with the provisions of article 13 of the Spanish Intellectual Property Law.