Drawing and architectural analysis of San Ildefonso’s Baths in Seville (1542)

Abstract

This paper deals with the first hypotheses of elevations and of the architectural analysis of San Ildefonso’s Baths on the basis of unpublished data offered by the Book of written descriptive records (apeos) of 1542 in the Chapter on Seville Cathedral. Our own transformation methodology has been applied to this hitherto largely unknown book in order to attain and encompass graphic representation from the literary description. After giving a brief history of the Baths, the objective is to ascertain its location, by drawing hypothetical floor plans and elevations and analysing its typology, dimensions, spaces, and building elements. This research has shown that it was one of the most important bathing complexes in the historical centre of Seville, at least in the 13th Century, although it later became obsolete and was demolished in the 18th Century.

Keywords

• seville
• 16th century
• hamman
• arab baths
• thermal baths