The sixteenth century and the first decades of the seventeenth century correspond to a period of splendor in the civil architecture of Maestrazgo. There are numerous examples of palaces and stately homes in Renaissance style, with Aragonese and Neapolitan influences, with facades and ashlar facades of excellent workmanship, many of them emblazoned. Probably, from the architectural historical point of view, the most interesting examples of Renaissance palaces in Maestrazgo are found in La Iglesuela del Cid y Mirambel. On the other hand, there are also town halls with an open hall with semicircular arches, also built according to Renaissance patterns, which are widespread throughout the region.
At the beginning of the Modern Age the Maestrazgo had laid the foundations of what was to be an economy with remarkable possibilities of success. A subsistence farming economy was the optimal complement to specialization in sheep farming. The quality of the wool provided an important position in the markets and the income of the peasant families was supplemented by textile manufacturing. The peasants spent part of their time working on looms installed in their own homes, which provided new income for the family unit.
The high point of this perfectly integrated production model was reached during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. At that time, some municipalities, such as Villarroya de los Pinares, became important textile centers. In general, the entire bailiwick area experienced a period of economic prosperity. This is easily noticeable in the buildings that house the town halls, in the palaces or in the houses of the craftsmen.
If you want to know more about the palaces of the Maestrazgo, visit Maestrazgo Virtual Museum, where you can see photos, plans and 360º tours of some of the churches and palaces of the Maestrazgo Renaissance.
