Publications
Methodological Protocol for Identifying Heritage Attributes in World Heritage Properties: The Alcázar of Seville
A new methodological protocol for identifying heritage attributes in World Heritage Sites, exemplified by the Alcázar of Seville, reveals that effective heritage management requires a transdisciplinary approach integrating physical, artistic, symbolic, social, and environmental dimensions. The study demonstrates that a structured process—encompassing information collection, team formation, analysis, and attribute selection—can capture a broader spectrum of heritage values beyond traditional cultural significance. This protocol emphasizes the expansion of transdisciplinary teams and a more socially engaged approach to heritage conservation, offering a practical tool for professionals and public administrations.
The Artistic Form of the Muslim Alhambra in Granada and its Transformation in the Christian Alcázar of Sevilla
A comparative analysis reveals that the transition from Muslim to Christian rule in southern Spain led to the emergence of a distinct architectural language, blending elements from both Hispano-Muslim and Western European traditions. The study identifies key criteria underlying this synthesis, particularly in spatial organization and ornamental decoration, such as stucco carving, ceramic revetments, and ceiling structures. By examining the Alhambra in Granada—renowned for its 13th- and 14th-century Islamic art—and the Alcázar of Seville—a pioneering Christian residence built in the Mudéjar style—the research establishes a typology that highlights mechanisms of intercultural syncretism. This synthesis not only shaped the artistic language of medieval Spain but also set new tendencies for the Spanish Mediterranean region.
Veladas musicales patrocinadas por Pablo de Olavide en los salones del Alcázar de Sevilla (1767-1773)
Pablo de Olavide's musical gatherings and concerts at the Alcázar in Seville (1767–1773) likely represented one of the most significant private domestic music venues in the city. These events, blending literary, artistic, and musical elements, offer a unique window into 18th-century cultural life. The study reconstructs this historical scene through archival analysis, providing insights into the social and musical dynamics of the time. By examining Olavide's patronage, the research sheds light on the role of private salons in shaping Seville's intellectual and artistic landscape during a pivotal period.
Water System Approach and Natural–Cultural Capital in World Heritage Under Climate Stress: The Royal Alcázar in Seville and the Alhambra in Granada, Spain
A critical assessment of water systems reveals their pivotal role as natural-cultural capital in two iconic Spanish World Heritage Sites—the Royal Alcázar in Seville and the Alhambra in Granada—highlighting their vulnerability to climate stress. The study, leveraging historical cartography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), maps landscape conditions and evaluates water-related attributes within existing protection frameworks. It proposes a narrative approach to water as both a natural and cultural asset, linking it to the sites' principal climate-related risks and benefits. This research underscores the urgent need for updated valuation criteria that integrate social and environmental sustainability, contributing significantly to the global discourse on biocultural heritage conservation under challenging climatic conditions.
Courtyards as passive climate buffers: Enhancing thermal comfort and preventive conservation in mediterranean climates
Mediterranean courtyards, such as the Courtyard of the Maidens in Seville's Royal Alcázar, act as passive climate buffers that moderate extreme temperatures and reduce reliance on active cooling systems. A three-year study (2020–2023) found these spaces improve thermal comfort for users while minimizing environmental stress on heritage materials like plasterwork, particularly during heatwaves. The research underscores the role of courtyards in preventive conservation and sustainability, offering a model for integrating historic architectural features into climate-resilient urban planning.
Divine Spectacle: Staging Noah's Ark in Baroque Sevillea
A 1644 performance of the biblical comedy El arca de Noé at Seville's royal theater, Corral de la Montería, revealed unique theatrical effects and local references that distinguished it from contemporary public theaters. The study highlights how the Montería's specialized stage machinery enabled complex staging techniques, while dialogue contained subtle allusions to Seville and its architecture, suggesting a sophisticated interplay between performance and audience reception in Baroque Spain.
From Rome to Seville, Then to Lima, and Back to Seville
A new interpretation emerges from the analysis of a 1603 agreement between sculptor Juan Martínez Montañés and Mateo Vázquez de Leca, revealing critical insights into the materiality, mobility, and circulation of artistic models during the early modern period. The study highlights how the desire to create a 'better' crucifix in Seville, modeled after one in Lima, reflects broader trends in artistic diffusion and the criteria for quality. By examining the qualities of both works and their historical context, the research sheds light on the complex dynamics of art production, mobility, and reception across the Iberian world.
From theory to practice
Spanish military engineers in the Gulf of Mexico during the eighteenth century adapted European theoretical fortification techniques to local conditions, creating a 'learning place' that surpassed academic training. This adaptation was driven by the unique demands of the Caribbean and regional authorities. The study analyzed archival documents from the Archivo General de Indias (Seville) and compared them with preserved projects and European treatises to demonstrate this practical divergence.
Scan-to-BIM strategies and standards for HBIM purposes. A case study
A study on the Alcázar of Seville’s Almohad tower identifies strategic approaches to Scan-to-BIM workflows tailored for Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM), addressing gaps in existing literature. It highlights how documentation strategies vary based on intended HBIM model purposes, integrating standards derived from epistemological frameworks. The research demonstrates that achieving specific Levels of Detail (LOD) depends not only on technical workflows but also on the purpose-driven selection of techniques, offering practical insights for architectural heritage preservation.
Advanced Multichannel Lighting Control Systems in Heritage Environments: Case Study of the Cathedral of Seville
A novel multichannel lighting system for heritage environments, tested at the Cathedral of Seville, demonstrates superior color rendering and reduced photodegradation compared to standard LED systems. This approach minimizes short-wavelength light while maintaining daylight-like spectral distribution, as validated by subjective surveys (Farnsworth-Munsell and Natural Color System tests) in two key areas: the Museum of the Cathedral and the Evangelist Chapel. The findings highlight a multi-parameter strategy that balances color perception with preservation, offering a significant advancement for lighting technologies in architectural heritage conservation.
Collecting, Curating, and Remembering in the Cathedral of Seville
Two singular manuscripts, the Libro Blanco and Libro de Dotaciones, from the Cathedral of Seville, were found to serve as a compact unit of information during a pivotal period in the Church's history. These diplomatic codices, created in the early 15th century, played a crucial role in reorganizing the economic and historical memory of the institution, paralleling the transformation of the old mosque-cathedral into a new Gothic church. The manuscripts were part of a massive project to contain, organize, and perpetuate vast amounts of information extracted from original documents in the Cathedral Archive. Every aspect of their material composition—parchment, format, text layout, writing—was meticulously defined to create a portable archive that ensured the longevity of historical memory.
Development of a Hyperspectral Imaging Protocol for Painting Applications at the University of Seville
Researchers at the University of Seville, in collaboration with the Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (CNA), have developed a streamlined hyperspectral imaging protocol to analyze ancient paintings non-invasively. The study demonstrated that three hyperspectral cameras—operating in visible-near-infrared (VNIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) ranges—could efficiently characterize paintings when combined with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and classification methods using Evince® and Specim IQ® software. This protocol, validated through complementary techniques like X-ray fluorescence (XRF), ultraviolet luminescence (UVL) imaging, and infrared reflectography (IRR), offers a faster and more accessible approach for studying the extensive painting collections in Seville’s Archbishop’s Palace and Cathedral. The findings pave the way for broader application of hyperspectral imaging in cultural heritage conservation.
Malay Letters from Mindanao and Sulu from the Early Eighteenth Century
Nine Malay letters, written in Jawi script and dating from 1703 to 1721, represent the oldest known Malay documents from the Philippines. These letters, discovered in the Archivo General de Indias in Seville, include correspondence between Sultan Jalaluddin of Maguindanao and Sultan Syahabuddin of Sulu with Spanish governors, as well as letters from Maulana Jafar Sadik Syah, a contender sultan of Maguindanao. The earliest letters pertain to the political turmoil following the killing of Sultan Kaharuddin Kuday in 1702, while later letters address governance and regional dynamics during the early eighteenth century. This discovery provides invaluable insights into the historical interactions between Mindanao and Sulu with Spanish colonial authorities, enriching our understanding of the region's political landscape and cultural exchanges.
Management and accounts of the disentailment process in Seville Cathedral (19th century): the sale of estates
Contrary to historical-economic narratives, the disentailment process at Seville Cathedral (19th century) involved orderly sales orchestrated by the ecclesiastical institution itself, not confiscation. Analysis of administrative and accounting records reveals a two-phase sale of numerous properties, highlighting financial challenges faced by the Cathedral Chapter, including loan applications and real estate disposals. The study emphasizes the professionalism, transparency, and seriousness of the sales process, offering new insights into the economic strategies of ecclesiastical institutions during disentailment.
Protezione del colore nel Patrimonio Mondiale. La pelle del Cenador del León nel Real Alcázar di Siviglia
Color preservation is critical to maintaining the identity and authenticity of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as demonstrated by the restoration of the Cenador del León in Seville's Real Alcázar. The study highlights that color loss or replacement with non-original materials irreparably alters the heritage's historical essence. The restoration process prioritized chromatic harmony and respect for the site's historical integrity, integrating elements like coatings, paintings, majolica, metalwork, and vegetation to achieve a balanced intervention. This approach ensures that future conservation efforts maintain both the architectural and garden components' authenticity while adhering to global heritage preservation standards.
Structural Analysis of “La Giralda”, Bell Tower of the Seville Cathedral
La Giralda, the iconic bell tower of Seville Cathedral, has demonstrated remarkable structural resilience over four centuries, withstanding significant external forces including earthquakes. A comprehensive analysis reveals its geometric and foundational design as key factors in its longevity. The study examines La Giralda's gravitational load capacity, resistance to wind, and seismic stability using modern engineering techniques. This research provides valuable insights into the monument's enduring structural integrity, offering a deeper understanding of its architectural and engineering achievements.
Analysis of the Historical Settlements of the Giralda
A detailed analysis of the Giralda tower's historical settlements reveals that its tilt towards the south-east is primarily due to differential settlement caused by thicker, softer strata beneath that corner. This finding was derived from a comprehensive study combining in-situ measurements and advanced 3D Finite Elements Modeling (FEM), which accounted for construction phases, loads, execution timelines, and consolidation periods. The model's predictions showed strong agreement with real top displacements, providing critical insights into the structural behavior of this iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. This research underscores the importance of geotechnical characterization in preserving cultural heritage by preventing future damage through informed intervention strategies.
Climate change impacts on cultural heritage building foundations in Western Andalusia
Climate change is significantly impacting the foundations of heritage buildings in Western Andalusia, with temperature increases and drought leading to subsidence and shrinkage effects on surface clays. This study highlights how climate-related hazards, such as sea-level rise and coastal erosion, are threatening structures like the Church of the Sagrario in Seville and coastal castles such as Chipiona Castle and Utrera Castle. The research emphasizes the need for risk assessments to enhance disaster resilience in cultural heritage preservation. By analyzing these climate stressors, the study underscores the urgency of proactive measures to mitigate long-term damage to these iconic sites.
Constructing the Spanish Empire in Havana: State Slavery in Defense and Development, 1762–1835 , by Evelyn P. Jennings
Havana's military forts, built or expanded during the late 18th century to defend against British threats and bolster Spain's colonial ambitions, relied heavily on enslaved African labor—a practice historian Evelyn P. Jennings terms 'state slavery.' Her analysis reveals how the Spanish Crown systematically purchased, leased, and deployed enslaved workers for fortifications, infrastructure, and urban development, particularly after Britain returned Cuba in 1763. Using archival records from Seville's Archivo General de Indias and Simancas military archives, Jennings demonstrates that this state-sponsored slavery was pivotal in transforming Cuba into a plantation economy. Her work challenges conventional narratives by exposing the role of enslaved labor in both imperial defense and economic expansion, with implications for understanding colonial power dynamics and labor systems in the Caribbean.
Devoción y culto a la Santa Verónica en la Capilla de Nuestra Señora de la Antigua de la catedral de Sevilla
A revered copy of the Santa Face of Jaén, donated to the Cathedral of Seville in 1629, became a focal point of devotion and worship among the faithful. Initially housed in the main sacristy, it was later transferred to the Chapel of Nuestra Señora de la Antigua in 1690, where it was encased in a silver reliquary before being placed in its current tabernacle in 1739. This study traces the evolution of the cult surrounding this sacred artifact, highlighting its significance in religious practice and its enduring presence in the cathedral's architectural and liturgical landscape.
Displaying Art in a Sacred Space
Seville Cathedral's role as an exhibition space is illuminated through its function as a performative environment during early modern celebrations, particularly the Triumph. The study reveals how the cathedral transcended its everyday use to host ephemeral monuments that integrated paintings, sculptures, emblems, and inscriptions, creating a multisensory experience for spectators. By analyzing etchings from Torre Farfán's Fiestas de Sevilla, researchers demonstrate the cathedral's expanded scenography—extending beyond theatrical spaces—and highlight key factors such as affectivity, relationality, and materiality in shaping these celebrations. This approach offers new insights into the spatial dynamics of sacred environments during significant historical events.
La enseñanza de la arquitectura en Sevilla (1771-1807): sobre artes, antigüedades, libros, réplicas y maquetas en el marco del Real Alcázar
A novel interpretation of architectural education during the Enlightenment in Seville reveals its multifaceted nature, blending the study of classical antiquity with practical model-making and the creation of replicas. This approach, centered at the Real Escuela de las Tres Nobles Artes within the Real Alcázar, integrated theoretical knowledge from books, hands-on drawing of antiquities, and the construction of architectural elements or entire structures. The research challenges conventional views by analyzing the school's teachings in relation to other arts and its connection to the Spanish royal palace, using a critical review of existing documentation alongside newly discovered sources. This study, spanning 1771 to 1807, highlights the pivotal role of Francisco de Bruna as both promoter and leading figure in shaping this educational model.
Oral Histories in the Black Pacific
Black women's pivotal yet erased roles in shaping the history and resistance of the Black Pacific are being recovered through oral histories, revealing their ancestral knowledge and political significance. While official colonial narratives in Seville's Archivo General de Indias omit their presence, court archives in American colonies document their demands for freedom. Oral history projects in Bojayá and Esmeraldas bridge digital archives with traditional methods like song and prayer to access this marginalized knowledge, highlighting its relevance for contemporary resistance against extractivist development. This study underscores the political dimensions of Blackness and freedom in the diaspora, challenging Afropolitan frameworks by emphasizing class and migration dynamics.
Pigments and Inks Applied in Juan Vespucci’s Portolan Chart (1520)
A rare 16th-century portolan chart by Juan Vespucci, dated 1520 and housed at the Archivo General de Indias in Seville, reveals a sophisticated palette of pigments and inks. Non-invasive techniques, including infrared/ultraviolet light analysis, digital microscopy, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), identified lead white as the base layer, with vermilion, yellow ochre, azurite, copper-based green, and carbon black used for decorative elements. Iron-gall ink was likely employed for text, while gilded wind roses featured thin golden leaves on a glue mixture. The study also detected 19th/20th-century retouches using zinc and titanium whites, along with cobalt blue, providing insights into the map's conservation history.
Practicas Escriturales Femeninas: Espacialidad e Identidad en Epistolas en la Colonia (Rio de la Plata, Siglos XVI-XVII)
Letters written by women in the Rio de la Plata during the 16th and 17th centuries reveal a transformative practice of empowerment, challenging traditional humanist epistolary models. Analyzing eleven unpublished letters from the Archivo General de Indias, this study demonstrates that these epistles functioned as polysynthetic genres, blending elements of accounts, petitions, and diaries to meet the communicative needs of colonial contexts. The research argues that such letters belong more to the 'ars dictaminis' than the classical 'ars epistolandi,' necessitating a reevaluation of existing frameworks for interpreting early American correspondence. Additionally, it highlights how these texts served as spaces for identity construction, showing a reciprocal relationship between gender and spatiality in colonial writing practices.
The Spanish contribution to the exploration and charting of the South Pacific (1770–75): Knowledge exchange in the South Sea
Spanish maritime cartography advanced significantly during the Age of Enlightenment, with three key expeditions (1770–75) charting vast areas of the South Pacific, including Easter Island and the Tuamotu Archipelago. These efforts, led by Captain Don Felipe González de Ahedo and Domingo de Bonechea Andonaegui, produced approximately ninety detailed charts, rivaling contemporary British explorations like those of James Cook. The research highlights the Spanish Crown's systematic approach to exploration, combining navigational precision with knowledge exchange between Spanish and local experts. Archival records from institutions such as the Real Academia de la Historia (Madrid) and the Archivo General de Indias (Seville) provide evidence of this collaborative cartographic achievement.
Digital Preservation of Architectural Heritage through BIM
A groundbreaking methodology leveraging Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) demonstrates the potential for digital preservation of architectural heritage, addressing critical gaps in interoperability and information management. The study focuses on the Pavillion of Charles V in Seville, a UNESCO-listed Renaissance structure, using 3D modeling informed by photogrammetry and laser scanning to create an accurate representation of its flooring and tiling. This approach facilitates collaboration among diverse disciplines involved in conservation, enabling the simulation of past or future conditions while maintaining transparency and data exchange. The research highlights the need for standardized international protocols to manage complex heritage information, offering a scalable solution for documenting and preserving cultural landmarks.
Drawing and architectural analysis of San Ildefonso’s Baths in Seville (1542)
Research reveals that San Ildefonso’s Baths, located in the historical center of Seville, was one of the most significant bathing complexes in the city during the 13th century. The study, based on previously unpublished data from a 1542 book of descriptive records, reconstructs the baths' layout and architectural features through innovative graphic transformation methods. Findings indicate that despite its historical importance, the complex became obsolete by the 18th century and was subsequently demolished. This work provides new insights into the typology, dimensions, and spatial organization of a lost architectural heritage site within Seville's UNESCO-listed Cathedral, Alcázar, and Archivo de Indias.
New Perspectives on Manila’s Chinese Community at the Turn of the Eighteenth Century
A new perspective on Manila’s Chinese community at the turn of the eighteenth century challenges the conventional paradigm of Christian Chinese monopolization of power, revealing instead systemic racism and sadistic crimes against Chinese merchants by Spanish officials. The study, centered on a 1701 judicial case involving Pedro Barredo, exposes the psychological underpinnings of Spain’s discriminatory policies while highlighting the economic contributions of Chinese immigrants. Utilizing unpublished documents from the Archivo General de Indias in Seville and the National Archives of the Philippines, this research fills critical gaps in historical literature on the Chinese Overseas experience in Manila before 1800.
Producing “Idolatry:” Indigenous Knowledge Production via Colonial Investigations into Animism, Luzon, 1679–1687
Indigenous communities in Luzon, Philippines, actively shaped the concept of 'idolatry' during colonial investigations in 1679–1687 to serve their own interests and navigate colonial pressures. These investigations, conducted by missionaries, involved interviews with indigenous respondents whose transcriptions are preserved in Seville's Archivo General de Indias. The study reveals that indigenous agents were not mere informants but active producers of knowledge, generalizing their religious beliefs strategically to protect themselves from persecution and reinterpret indigenous deities within a colonial context.
A Great Fear: Luís de Onís and the Shadow War against Napoleon in Spanish America, 1808–1812
Spanish colonial officials, led by Luís de Onís, amplified fears of French subversion during Napoleon's occupation, despite minimal evidence. This rhetoric fostered suspicion and militarization in the Americas, contributing to long-term alienation from Spain and the empire's eventual collapse. Hawkins's study analyzes archival documents—including those from Seville’s Archivo General de Indias—and diplomatic records from the U.S., Argentina, and Guatemala, revealing how Onís's reports shaped counterinsurgency measures that persisted even after Spain’s liberation in 1814. The research also highlights early U.S. expansionist threats perceived through Spanish-American relations.
Caracterización arqueométrica (físico-química y microestructural) de azulejos en el palacio mudéjar del Real Alcázar de Sevilla mediante métodos químicos cuantitativos no invasivos
A study of the ceramic tiles in Seville's Real Alcázar reveals that the palace's Mudéjar Palace, dating to the 14th century, features five distinct colors—green, black, molasses, white, and blue—each influenced by specific chemical elements like iron, cobalt, copper, manganese, and tin. Using non-invasive techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and diffraction (XRD), along with microscopy, researchers analyzed 24 zones of the palace's tiles, identifying inclusions like wollastonite, quartz, bustamite, feldspars, casiterite, and malayaite. The findings indicate that the ceramic paste was calcic and fired at approximately 900°C. The study also highlights the presence of salts such as thenardite, gypsum, sodium chloride, and nitrogen compounds, which contribute to the tiles' deterioration. Notably, the ceramics exhibit no homogeneity due to varying installation periods—spanning from the 14th century to recent restorations—and multiple restoration interventions over time.
Computerization Project of the Archivo General de Indias, Seville, Spain
A groundbreaking computerization project for the Archivo General de Indias in Seville, Spain, demonstrated the feasibility of digitizing and preserving one of the world's most significant historical archives. This initiative, aimed at safeguarding 8,000 meters of documents dating from the 16th to 19th centuries—including original records from Spanish colonization—showcased how advanced technology could enhance accessibility while ensuring long-term conservation. The project employed cutting-edge methods for cataloging, indexing, and digital preservation, setting a benchmark for similar efforts at UNESCO World Heritage Sites. By addressing challenges in handling fragile materials and standardizing metadata, it provided a model for balancing research needs with the protection of irreplaceable cultural heritage.
HBIM as Support of Preventive Conservation Actions in Heritage Architecture. Experience of the Renaissance Quadrant Façade of the Cathedral of Seville
Historic Building Information Models (HBIM) emerge as a powerful tool for preventive conservation of heritage architecture, demonstrated through their application to the Renaissance Quadrant Façade of Seville Cathedral. This study validates HBIM's capacity to consolidate and visualize complex conservation data, enabling cross-cutting analysis that deepens understanding of architectural assets. The research introduces two key methodological advances: semi-automatic surface estimation for solid entity modeling and a framework for integrating surface-based information, such as current conservation status and treatment records. By digitizing preventive conservation actions performed by specialists, the model facilitates comprehensive documentation while streamlining relationships between diverse analyses—offering a scalable solution for heritage management.
La recuperación del Alcázar de Sevilla. Un elemento de tensión entre los reyes católicos y la ciudad de Sevilla
The restoration of the Alcázar de Sevilla during the reign of the Catholic Kings was not merely a architectural endeavor but a complex process fraught with tensions and conflicts. This study reveals that the project sparked significant disputes between the monarchy and the town council of Seville, particularly concerning the rights and prerogatives associated with the royal palace. These conflicts extended to critical aspects of Sevillian society, such as water administration and tax distribution, highlighting the intricate interplay between royal authority and local governance. The research demonstrates how palace officials acted as key intermediaries, navigating these tensions while shaping the relationship between the monarchy and the city.
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