By Tapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
Museo Parroquial de Tapices de Pastrana
Pastrana (2019) by Nacho AbascalTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
The village of Pastrana, located in the Alcarria region, was founded in the 13th century as a repopulation village under the control of the military-religious Order of Calatrava that built a small Romanesque church. In 1369 Pastrana received the title of “villa” and a wall was built around it.
In 1569 the first Dukes of Pastrana and Princes of Eboli, Ruy Gomez de Silva (counsellor, favourite and close friend of Philip II) and the famed Doña Ana de Mendoza y de la Cerda bought the village to the heirs of Doña Ana de la Cerda, who had acquired it in 1540. From then on, it became a secular manor and the ducal palace began to be built.
Pastrana (2018) by Alfonso RomoTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
With the first dukes, Pastrana reached its splendour not only politically, but also in terms of economy and urban planning. The village adapted itself to the new premises of the Renaissance while keeping a large part of its medieval layout and its rich artistic heritage of the Spanish Golden Age. On top of that, Pastrana experienced an economic, sociocultural, and religious development; its parish church was conferred the title of collegiate church in 1569 and two Carmelite convents were founded by Saint Teresa of Jesus.
Pastrana Collegiate Church (13th century-17th century) by Fostered by the Archbishop Fray Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza. 17th centuryTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
In the village of Pastrana, the collegiate church stands out from the cramped urban fabric, surrounded by the alleys that are so typical and evocative of Pastrana.
Add-ons and details were appended throughout time reflecting its progressive increase in power such as the northern façade, which was built in late-15th-century Gothic style.
Pastrana Collegiate Church (13th century-17th century) by Fostered by the Archbishop Fray Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza. 17th centuryTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
Finally, the great extension of the naves and the crossing took place in the first half of the 17th century, fostered by the Archbishop Fray Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza (son of the first dukes of Pastrana). The collegiate church houses the magnificent parish museum, which is very rich in content. The highlight is the collection of Flemish-Gothic, 15th century tapestries that belonged to Alfonso V of Portugal and are considered by experts as unique masterpieces because of their singularity and exceptional nature.
Framework in the Collegiate Church (1636) by Andrés ExtarjaTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
The magnificent altarpiece of the collegiate church of Pastrana had its framework created by the artist Andres Extarja from Siguenza in 1636. Extraordinary in size.
Altarpiece in the Collegiate Church (1636) by Andrés ExtarjaTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
The altarpiece is composed of five panels and three parts with combined columns. It is topped on both sides by the coat of arms of Archbishop Fray Pedro. It has paintings by Matias Jimeno and is dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, who is depicted in the centre of the altarpiece surrounded by ten mannerist virgins and martyrs. The attic shows Christ on Calvary.
The assumption of the virgin (1624) by Jacques StellaTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
Above the altarpiece, there is a gorgeous painting of the assumption of the virgin with a choir of angels that is part of the tabernacle.
Inside the church (13th century-17th century) by Fostered by the Archbishop Fray Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza. 17th centuryTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
It was painted on alabaster in 1624 by Jacques Stella as a gift from Pope Urban VIII to the duke of Pastrana when he served as the ambassador of Spain to the Holy See.
Chapel of the Relics (13th century-17th century) by Fostered by the Archbishop Fray Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza. 17th centuryTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
In the retrochoir, not far from the entrance gate, there is the so-called Chapel of the Relics. Nowadays, it is used as baptistery.
Chapel of the Relics (13th century-17th century) by Fostered by the Archbishop Fray Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza. 17th centuryTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
Three alcoves, protected by large gates, treasure more than 300 relics.
Chapel of the Relics (13th century-17th century) by Fostered by the Archbishop Fray Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza. 17th centuryTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
One can find a Lignum Crucis, several relics from Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint John of the Cross, and from notable inhabitants of the village.
Chapel of the Relics (13th century-17th century) by Fostered by the Archbishop Fray Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza. 17th centuryTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
We can find many others said to belong to James the Great, Saint John the Baptist and Saint Sebastian, patron saint of Pastrana.
Choir of the collegiate church (17th century) by Antonio Arteaga CanoTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
In the choir of the collegiate church, the grandeur of the stalls sculpted in walnut by Antonio Arteaga Cano stands out. In its time, these stalls accommodated a 48-canon council during liturgical acts of great solemnity. This council of canons was the second largest in Castile; the largest being the primacy of Toledo.
Organ of the collegiate church (18th century) by Domingo MendozaTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
4 metres above the ground, there is the splendid baroque organ, built in 1704 by Domingo Mendoza, chapel master of the royal chapel at the court of Philip V.
Its 931 tubes are currently in perfect condition.
Oil Paintings on Altarpiece of Miranda or the Annunciation (16th century) by Juan Bautista MaínoTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
The collegiate church houses a total of 18 altarpieces in the naves and side chapels. Almost all of them come from chapels and convents that are now gone. A notable example is the altarpiece of Miranda or the Annunciation (ca. 1628).
Catafalque of the dukes of Pastrana (17th century) by AnonymousTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
The catafalque of the dukes of Pastrana was ordered by Fray Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza in the first third of the 17th century to celebrate his own funeral and those of the ducal family. It is made of black velvet, silk and gold and has all the objects needed to celebrate the Eucharist and adorn the coffin, which are made of ebony and bronze. It is considered to be the best preserved and the most complete in Spain.
Talla de Cristo (14th century) by AnonymousTapestry Parish Museum of Pastrana
This is a sculpture of Christ from the 14th century, showing the transition from Romanesque to Gothic styles.
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.
