La iglesia de San Gil de Guadalajara

Abstract

From the time of the Middle Ages Guadalajara had ten parishes. Most parish churches were constructed following the Islamic architectural tradition adapted to Christian architectural trends, that is to say, according to the style known as Mudéjar. In the 19th century, the number of parishes was reduced to five and then to four. Saint Giles was the last parish suppressed, and finally demolished in 1924. At that moment, the doorway and a chapel were preserved because they were considered to be the only elements of the original temple, but they were demolished in 1931. Nonetheless, part of the apse was saved. Thanks to these remains, and the study of a series of graphic documents, it is possible to conclude that the demolished temple was indeed a Mudéjar building. In the 17th century the church underwent a major transformation that resulted in the loss of its original appearance, but the medieval structure survived beneath the exterior renovation.