Explore the Tapestry 'Landing of Asiah'
King Alfonso V of Portugal, along with his son nicknamed "the perfect prince" take land and head towards Asilah
By Tapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
Museo Parroquial de Tapices de Pastrana
Tapestry 1 “Landing in Asilah” (1471-1475) by Tournai Passchier GrenierTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
This tapestry, El desembarco en Arcila (Landing in Asilah), is the first in a series of four which ends with La toma de Tánger (The Occupation of Tangier). Together they 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 first, “landing in Asilah”, describes in its upper billet how on the night of August 20, 1471 an army of 30000 men landed in the coast of Asilah having set off from Portugal on August 15, 1471 towards the north of Africa.
Detail of the tapestry “Landing in Asilah” (1471-1475) by Tournai Passchier GrenierTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
In the foreground, one can see the large Portuguese vessels. The first one is the leading vessel, where the king travels.
It has the emblems that will appear throughout the tapestries: the castor, a personal symbol of the king that always appears with him next to the royal standard, which is very similar to the current one, and Saint George’s Cross, which shows we are witnessing a crusade.
Detail of the tapestry “Landing in Asilah” (1471-1475) by Tournai Passchier GrenierTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
One sees how soldiers get on boats and gradually approach the coast.
Detail of the tapestry “Landing in Asilah” (1471-1475) by Tournai Passchier GrenierTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
In one of them, we can see Alfonso V next to his son aka “the Perfect Prince”, who would become King John II of Portugal.
Detail of the tapestry “Landing in Asilah” (1471-1475) by Tournai Passchier GrenierTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
We can see how the army, led by the king and the prince have landed and head for the town.
Detail of the tapestry “Landing in Asilah” (1471-1475) by Tournai Passchier GrenierTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
The annals show that it was a very harsh landing due to rough sea conditions which caused a shipwreck. This scene portrays drowned soldiers while others hold on to flotsam
Detail of the tapestry “Landing in Asilah” (1471-1475) by Tournai Passchier GrenierTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
The walled town of Asilah is depicted defended by its army. The Portuguese army is on its way to lay siege to it.
A project promoted by the Provincial Council of Guadalajara, Spain.
Coordination: Aurora Batanero and Mario González Somoano.
Production and realization: Laura Domínguez and Fernando Toquero.
Photographs: Alfonso Romo, Enrique Delgado, Nacho Abascal, Laura Domínguez and Fernando Toquero.
Translation: Miguel Ángel Muñoz Lobo.
