El Viajero
One of the masterpieces of Andalusian style
During Reconquista just its captains settled in Andalusia, near Ferdinand and Isabella's court, in Granada. Jerez was full of affluent nobles, peace and commercial power. A group of Jews moved from south Portugal with a promise of not to paying any tax for trading work, they installed themselves Jerez on calle Francos, which takes its name from being a free zone checkpoint. In the sixteenth century a thriving bourgeoisie was born and the city was full of great buildings, some palaces and houses of the new aristocracy and other public functions. Among these is the council that was aesthetically the prevailing fashion, classicism style based on ancient forms and a reinterpretation of mythical figures, such as allegories of virtues.
The Old Town Hall was built by Andres de Ribera, Diego Martín and Bartolomé Sánchez Oliva. It adopts a rectangular shape, giving its facade to plaza de la Asunción, where the church of San Dionisio is. This is the oldest area of the town. The left side of the facade is a loggia - a gallery formed by arches. Forty years ago the Municipal Library of 1873 was in the Old City Hall. This loggia was full of tombstones, statues and amphorae fragments. It had a small exhibition, outdoor because the arcades had no enclosure, with some archaeological remains. Eventually they moved to their current home, the Archaeological Museum, more dignified but less visible. Crossing the loggia I came to a side door to access a large rectangular room filled to the ceiling with bookshelves. Currently, since the council headquarters is now in the Madre de Dios Square, the Old Town Hall serves as Pelnary Hall. The left side of the facade also has a direct door to the street. It is full of all kinds of allegories, highlighting a series of mythological sculptures such as Hercules, Julius Caesar and the four Virtues, in clear reference to the qualities that council members must hold. In a central attic are the coats of arms of Philip II and the city of Jerez de la Frontera. It was built in 1575 in the Renaissance style and is one of the masterpieces of Andalusian style.
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