Without a doubt, one of the most characteristic features of Al-Andalus culture was lattice decoration, which can still be found today in Andalusian cities, where all sorts of lattices can be seen in windows and on balconies.

El Dar al-Tiraz was the name given to the workshops in Al-Andalus where luxury fabrics were woven, whose workers were mostly women. They were employed exclusively by the monarch, and were thus run as a monopoly, a symbol to express power. The era of the caliphs was that of greatest splendor for these royal production sites. From their workshops came different types of fabrics that competed with those from Baghdad and Byzantium. These fabrics were used by the caliph and his family, but a significant number were given as gifts to Muslim and Christian princes.

Dressing table items from Al-Andalus reflect a taste for decoration that is so clearly Arab in nature. However, their motifs also bear a very rich and interesting symbolism linked to Moorish thought. Some of those still preserved today are made of ivory, whereas the wooden combs have been lost.
SextoMario is made up of professionals with advanced degrees in Art History, History and Archeology, possessing excellent resumes with training on the history and archeology of Cordoba. They also have a great deal of experience in the field of teaching, which allows them to offer those whose take part in their workshops with extensive, diversified information on the history and archeology of our past, always in accordance with the level of the people participating. SextoMario was created because of a calling to teach history in a fun and entertaining way, without setting aside the basic contents that form part of our values and culture, through a broad catalogue of educational workshops and games. With this focus, the workshops strengthen skills such as paying attention, memory, psychomotor skills and coordination, while youths learn about a wide range of aspects from our past and, in turn, reflect about our present.

The best-known decoration from Al-Andalus includes geometric lacework and tiling, but there was also a whole range of nature and plant-based ornamentation also covering walls, carpets, tapestries and clothing.

At this workshop, we will discuss some ornamental plant-based motifs, and those attending will get the chance to make a rubber stamp with one of these plant motifs on it. Rhythmically arranged onto a fabric, it creates a composition reminiscent of Arabesques and brocades.

All materials will be provided by the organization at no extra cost

These special decorative cases for miscellaneous items, known as “arquetas,” mostly made out of ivory and coated wood, were one of the ways in which many Moorish rulers would deliver their gifts.

At this workshop, those taking part will get the chance to decorate a wooden box or pencil case displaying some of the most typical designs from the culture of Al-Andalus.

The materials required to take part in the activity are provided to each individual participant by the organization.

In architecture, Nasrid art uses a series of materials different from those of the Caliphate period. This allowed it to develop its own unique decorative style which distanced it from the preceding period.

These muqarnas or Arab plaster mouldings remind us of the stalactites in caves and they way they seem to defy gravity. At this workshop, we will be looking at the topic of muqarnas, the way they are produced, and their types and decoration. Those attending will be able to make their own composition, as well as polychroming it and taking it home as a souvenir.

For this occasion, we will be working on the caliphal arches or horseshoe arches, an essential construction feature throughout the Caliphate of Cordoba in the tenth century, having reached our era in various forms, through many different constructions found all over our heritage landscape.

When we speak of Moorish architecture, we immediately think of the red and white horseshoe arches of Cordoba’smosque. However... are all horseshoe arches alike? At this workshop, we will be talking about the many types and evolution of the horseshoe arch.

Those attending will be able to create their own caliph era arch using engraved wood pieces. All of the materials will be provided by the organizers, and at the end of the workshop, those taking part will be able to take their work home.