This is one of the most representative buildings
of the Spanish Plateresque style. Floral motifs predominate and the Italianate
is characteristic of the sculptures. The archivolts and panels are organized
with masks, capes, bucrania, fruit, cords, children, baskets, etc.
The frog on the skull is very famous.
The centre of the façade features a shield
representing a seal with the busts of the Catholic Monarchs. In the
second stage is the shield of Carlos V and to the sides of this the two-headed
imperial eagle and the eagle of San Juan of the Catholic Monarchs. The
third stage is less complicated and depicts naked children, women, hypogryphs,
scrolls and dragons. The fourth stage has only medallions. In the central
area, a Pope is seen exhorting cardinals and clerics dressed in Italian
apparel. The whole façade reflects a quiet atmosphere of paganism
and the decoration is absolutely civilian. Inside, the chapel is outstanding,
the central part of the altarpiece depicting the oath taken by the doctors
of the University to accept the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.
The staircase of the University has three different parts, representing
mediaeval picaresque decorations, the happiness of married life and scenes
of tournaments, games and bull-fighting from horses. Regarding its date,
it is known that in 1512 the old staircase was demolished and this new
one begun.
The library, rebuilt in 1749 by the architect D. Manuel
de Lara Churriguera, is announced by a splendid wrought-iron device
dating from the sixteenth century This artist was also the creator of the
rich Baroque shelves in the library, replete with rare and exotic books
from all the Faculties and a Baroque cupboard containing manuscripts and
incunabula.
The Fray Luis de León lecture theatre conserves
the original benches used by students, the tribune for the graduates and
the Chair with lectern for the reader of the lesson. The Paraninfo
has Baroque tapestries from Brussels and a painting of Carlos VI by Goya.
Do you know the History of
the University?
UNIVERSITY´S FAÇADE
|
FRAY LUIS DE LEÓN´S
STATUE
UNIVERSITY "The Frog"
|
| Trip |Tools
|Home |
