El Viajero
Fusion of Gothic and Moorish elements
At the top of Arcos de la Frontera, at the entrance to the medieval castle, called Calle Cuesta de Belén is a striking building that isn't in the guides. It's a big house of Andalusian origin, in the XIX century it was remodeled in Gothic style. There is some confusion as some say that it is late Gothic (and so late!). It also has Moorish influences - the result of historical fashion which raged in the enlightened XIX century. This was a revival of medieval arts, which explains the fusion of Gothic and Moorish elements, which in medieval art was not conceived in the facades but in the rafters and distribution of spaces.
The facade is unique in Arcos, even perhaps throughout the province. On a wide entrance lintel a ceramic Marian has recently been placed. But on this post, whose jambs have figures of animals and chains, there is a set of garlands, preceding a giant rectangular frame whose central part is a window with 2 geminada needles. The set is very beautiful and striking. The building is remodeled internally to adapt to its current administration. The Count of Aguila III, Juan Ignacio de Espinosa and Tello, was dismembered by a mob in Triana, where his remains hung as a general warning, Frenchified accused. He was an enlightened nobleman who did not spare his ideas for social change, his death was senseless and dishonors the murderers, perhaps because his home and his life have sunk into oblivion.
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