Medievalists.net Danielle Trynoski explores the medieval exhibits at the Museo Arqueológico Nacional offers a summary of the cultural history of Spain in 4 floors The extensive collection is showcased in comprehensive and the 2013 renovation is evident in the carefully applied technology and inclusive interpretation methods and Spanish lifestyle set the MAN apart as an archaeology museum by showing beautiful items that affected peoples’ daily lives A gallery in the top floor explains the history of the museum and its collection This transparency of the organization’s practice is a bold and modern decision and should be an example in the museum industry like the tactile exhibits created for blind or visually impaired visitors to touch their way through the description of a process like creating a pottery vessel While the museum is a masterclass in modern exhibit design After passing through a great hall of Roman statuary presiding over a noble court the transition from the Roman galleries to the Late Antique/Early Medieval exhibits is marked with an explanatory video and a delightful mosaic of early medieval drinking pals The strong Roman presence in Spain is evident in the Roman techniques and style in the medieval objects The (ahem) crown of the galleries are the Visigothic votive crowns reconstructed and hanging to show off their full gem-encrusted glory MAN’s collection contains numerous examples of this strange object including the Guarrazar Hoard with Reccevinth’s crown They frequently incorporated older objects such as Roman jewels The individual object histories are just as fascinating as the objects themselves; some pieces of the Guarrazar and Torredonjimeno hoards were sold out of Spain in the 1800s and are still in international museums or are held in the royal treasury of Spain pieces of the hoards were “discovered missing” or stolen in 1921 and 1936 Discovered near the Guarrazar Hoard and displayed next to the votive crowns is an item which lacks the glitz and glitter but is almost more interesting than the crowns: the grave slab of Presbyter Crispin from the 8th century is completely covered by an early medieval Latin inscription The inscription translates to: “Whoever reads the epitaph on this stone take heed: consider the place and observe your surroundings Sixty years I walked this earth; in death I commend myself to the protection of the saints to be resurrected with them in due time when the consuming flame comes to set the earth ablaze Year of the era 731.” Grave slabs from this period are extremely rare and the volume of text extant on this example is extraordinary It provides information about craftsmanship It really is an example of the past speaking to us in the present A significant part of Spain’s cultural identity is marked by its history as a part of the medieval Islamic empire documenting the country’s built and physical heritage does a good job of showing the highlights of that heritage The heavy influence of Islamic architecture is illustrated in a color-coded model of the Great Mosque of Córdoba showing how Romanesque and Islamic styles co-exist in one structure The model is a great way to reference a building that is integral to this part of Spain’s history and built heritage without having access to the actual building suspended over a large part of square footage also profiled it as a major piece while still allowing for the display of other objects Other notable pieces include pottery with decorative slips and glazing All pieces in the exhibit are examples of highly skilled craftsmanship and the unique character of design stood out among the Roman and High Medieval in the adjacent galleries Between the Islamic exhibit and the Medieval galleries are three rooms that literally made my mouth drop open in wonder Not just planks or furniture or carved objects but sculpted and painted functional pieces The level of detail was minute and the paint was in impeccable condition allowing visitors to see minute elements of foliage The exhibit designers at MAN know how to use their ceiling space and here they display multiple intact sections of ceiling coffers and decorations all made of wonderful wood I still can’t decide which component impressed me more A section of altar stalls from the 14th century are across from Islamic joist supports highlighting the refined techniques evident in both styles My only critique is that one of the most impressive ceiling sections hangs right over another large display making it impossible to stand under the ceiling section and study details in the center of it I was so completely entranced by this piece that I don’t even remember what was blocking my access in the display beneath it but I wanted to examine the ceiling in closer detail Perhaps some table-top mirrors would help visitors get closer to these magnificent pieces the ceilings are equally magnificent with intricate cut-out details and intact paint The Christian Kingdoms (8th-15th centuries) galleries are a medievalist’s delight and industrial settings are all incorporated An iron brazier was a particularly interesting domestic object Items that were used on a regular basis rarely survive at all let alone in complete form like this piece This brazier was used to hold hot coals and help keep a room warm The little dragon head finials on the corner uprights were nicely formed and were repeated on other metal items in the exhibit Painted wood crosses and figurines show the refined and talented nature of Spanish Catholic art The vivid colors have survived in remarkable detail and are shown in context with other related objects alongside an explanation of the role of the church in medieval communities The 12th century Pillar of Lust was an entertaining object with one particularly poor fellow stuck in a rather uncomfortable position for several centuries Other figures featured women enjoying their own company and men being seduced by demons 15th century statue Peter I of Castile shows the detailed craftsmanship practiced in medieval Spain and bodily features such as hair and nails is extraordinary For information on the Museo Arqueológico Nacional, check out their website Plan about three hours to explore the entire museum or four to five if you’re like me and need to read every single English/Spanish label Danielle Trynoski is the Los Angeles-based correspondent for Medievalists.net – Click here to read more of her posts We've created a Patreon for Medievalists.net as we want to transition to a more community-funded model We aim to be the leading content provider about all things medieval podcast and Youtube page offers news and resources about the Middle Ages We hope that are our audience wants to support us so that we can further develop our podcast and remove the advertising on our platforms This will also allow our fans to get more involved in what content we do produce Member Login Kaden Hopkins competed in the Classic City of Torredonjimeno 2021 representing Equipo Essax Timo de Jong rode to victory in the event after breaking away from the small group of favorites with 15 kilometers to go no other rider was able to hunt him down anymore as he clocked 4:03:44 Hopkins finished with a group of riders that completed the challenging course at a time of 4:25.00 “It was a really hard race out there today the race was 165 km with 2800 meters of climbing [100 miles with 8,800 feet] My focus for the day was to try and get in an early break to have some slipping room when we hit the big climb of the day.” “The race was full-blown until the climb so a break was never established and when the climbers set the pace I wasn’t able to keep the intensity they were setting I got over the climb with a small group and rode into the finish with them,” continued Hopkins “I am still learning the ropes of racing here with regards to when I should be working hard and when I should be trying to recover but it is coming more and more with every race.” #BermudaCycling Category: All, Sports Portadown Football Club is delighted to announce that Ahu Obhakhan has signed a contract extension to remain at the club until the summer of 2026 The striker arrived at Shamrock Park in July and has scored 6 goals in 15 appearances since making his debut against Glentoran on 17 August The 27 year old striker from Drogheda played for Shelbourne at underage level before leaving for America in 2015 and attending Farleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey He was named in the NEC All-Conference First Team in 2017 and became the first player in the University’s history to be named a CoSIDA Academic All-American he was also named the NEC Men’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year two years in a row In 2019 Ahu signed a professional contract to play with Unión Deportive Ciudad de Torredonjimeno in the Jaén province of Spain but returned home in early 2020 to join Institute before joining Drogheda in September 2021 and moving on to Glebe North a year later We’re delighted Ahu has committed to us for next season as we feel it’s very important to protect our assets and continue to build for the years ahead without a constant turn over of players after every season He has made a fantastic contribution to us so far and we believe he is as good a focal point striker that we could ever have wished for when we brought him in I’d also like to place on record our thanks to Shane Dolan for recommending Ahu to us and his ongoing work in sourcing the best players available to Portadown down south Atlético MalagueñoMalagueño will play at La Rosaleda on Sunday 2nd Atlético Malagueño will play the matchday 4 fixture of Tercera Federación Group IX against CD Torreperogil, on Sunday 2nd October at La Rosaleda Stadium (16:30). Copy linkDue to the maintenance being undertaken on the pitches at the Federación Malagueña de Fútbol ground Funes’ team will play their match against CD Torreperogil at La Rosaleda corresponding to matchday 4 of Tercera Federación Group IX will take place on Sunday 2nd October at 16:30 The lads face this match after their first win of the season away from home to UDC Torredonjimeno (2-3) The Blue and Whites will be seeking to claim all three points at this very special home ground La Rosaleda will open Tribuna Baja for this match All fans who would like to watch Atlético Malagueño in action can access the stadium for free until the capacity of the available stand is reached Portadown Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of striker The 26 year old from Drogheda played for Shelbourne at underage level before going to college in the US in 2015 and attending Farleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey Obhakhan was named in the NEC All-Conference First Team in 2017 and became the first player in the University’s history to be named a CoSIDA Academic All-American in the Jaén province of Spain but returned home in early 2020 to join Institute on a deal until the end of the 2019/20 season however the season was cut short due to the Covid pandemic The forward was set to continue with Institute for the 2020/21 season and featured in a number of pre-season friendlies for the club before the Championship season was declared void due to the ongoing pandemic Obhakhan would depart ‘Stute to sign for Drogheda in September 2021 before moving on to Glebe North a year later where he would pick up the FAI Intermediate Cup in April We had quite a few attacking players missing for the H&W Welders game so when Shane (Dolan) said he could get us a look at Ahu for future reference we said ok having watched him all staff are agreed that this lad can have a great impact right now pace and will bring us something to mix with our other forwards we’re delighted he sees our pathway and look forward to seeing him many times in our red shirt.