Explore the Tapestry 'The conquest of Tangier'

"La toma de Tánger" is the final tapestry in a series of four which tell the story of the conquests of Asilah and Tangier by King Afonso V of Portugal.

The tapestries at the Parochial Tapestry Museum in Pastrana demonstrate extraordinary technical skill, and their materials—silk and woollen threads, with natural dyes—are of exceptional quality, lending them a radiance with intense colors. The detailed recounting of the events follows a linear and chronological order.

The tapestry masterfully encapsulates the conquest of the city, which was the true objective of the Portuguese. The city governor surrendered without attempting battle, as there were insufficient resources to defend the position. The King and Prince, therefore, are not depicted.

On the left side of the tapestry, the triumphant Portuguese army, including both infantry and cavalry, advances toward the city of Tangier, which they conquered on August 28, 1471.

Leading the march, the triumphant duke of Braganza on a splendid white horse.

Among the many details that one can appreciate in the tapestries, the depiction of the coats of mail made of interwoven metal rings looks very real.

The city of Tangier looms with its walls right in front of the depiction of the bay.

This shows the left side of tapestry. The city is in the middle, between the incoming Portuguese army and the outgoing population of Tangier.

This detail shows a mother carrying in her arms and on her back some children fleeing into exile.

The image focuses on the direction towards which the population flees. A diagonal vanishing point that leads our gaze towards the upper left hand corner of the tapestry together with that flight. The colourful and delicate details of the flowery background are pleasing to the eye.

The sad and worried faces show the despair of a population forced into exile.

Detail of the rough sea with an abstract interpretation of the waves in movement which reminds us of Eastern art.