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date: 17/05/2012 latest update: 15/05/2012
The project initiated by Alfonso VIII
Image of the construction of the fortified church, a project initiated by Alfonso VIII. Here we can see the second church, built in order to accommodate worshippers until construction of the temple was completed.
1- Lower level, Castilian conquest.2- Ramparts Walk level, Castilian conquest
View of the northern end of the crossing, seen from the east.
The defensive nature of this construction is abundantly clear.
After the conquest of Vitoria by the king of Castile, Alfonso VIII in 1200 and the fire which destroyed the city two years later, the Castilian monarch initiated an ambitious building project which radically changed the city's urban layout. Until recently, the extension of the city boundaries to the west with the construction of three new streets, had for many years between the only known evidence of this project.
Recent research into the history of Santa María Cathedral, however, has considerably widened our knowledge of the work carried out during this period of mass reconstruction. Having extended the city westwards, Alfonso VIII then proceeded to improve its defensive boundaries to the north, initiating a project that is surprising for both its ambitiousness and scope: the construction of a great church that would fulfil a twofold objective: improve the city's defences and give the city a church in keeping with the ambitious urban reconstruction project currently underway.
This new building, characterised by its extremely thick walls, formed an integral part of the city's defences, serving as a great barricade protecting the city's northern flank. Perhaps the most incredible thing about this building, however, is that its external walls have survived almost entirely in tact down the centuries, in some cases even up to the height of 20 metres. This is especially important for the following reasons:
a) From the perspective of heritage and history, it gives us the original remains of an extremely old and highly significant monument.
b) From a structural point of view, it is important because it tells us of the existence of a previous building, never before considered, which had a direct influence on the shape and structure of the subsequent cathedral.
c) From the perspective of the history of architecture, it offers an explanation for a contradiction that has puzzled art historians for many years. We refer to the presumed archaism of the lower level and its difference from the upper building. Although the building as a whole was generally considered by historiographers to coincide with the aesthetic canons of the classical gothic style, its large crossing remained a puzzle, being closer in style to Cistercian principles. This contradiction was usually resolved (although the explanation fell somewhat short) by references to the 'archaic' nature of the floor design. Fortunately, today we know the real reason for this presumed archaism - the existence of a large pre-existing building which had hitherto gone unnoticed.
According to the university lecturer Lucía Lahoz, 'on the basis of this argument, it seems logical to attribute the rebuilding of Vitoria's church to the revitalisation of the Santiago Pilgrim Trail, which passed through the city after leaving Bayonne. During the period in which Vitoria was annexed by Castile, the Pilgrim Trail underwent a resurgence, and Santa María must have been the first church encountered by pilgrims upon entering the city ... (This serves to) reinforce the link between the old Santa María Cathedral and the cult of Saint James, so staunchly defended by Apraiz.
