On the persistence of medieval urban spatial layout: Selected towns on the Pilgrims’ Way to Santiago de Compostela in the Iberian Peninsula

Medieval urban spatial layouts along the Pilgrims’ Way to Santiago de Compostela have shown remarkable persistence, with many towns retaining their original structures and functions since the Middle Ages. These layouts typically feature a main pilgrimage-trade route flanked by residential and service buildings, often centered around a regular market space adjacent to churches. The study analyzed historical, iconographic, cartographic sources, and direct observations of selected towns, revealing that spatial transformations have been minimal over centuries. The Franks community played a significant role in shaping these centers. Open spaces, particularly squares, remain vital for local communities today.

Bursiewicz, N. (2021). On the persistence of medieval urban spatial layout: Selected towns on the Pilgrims’ Way to Santiago de Compostela in the Iberian Peninsula. Quart, (2(60)), 3–19. https://doi.org/10.19195/quart.2021.2.84644