The publication describes the work carried out between 2002 and 2006 in the archaeological excavation carried out in the Cathedral of Tudela during the restoration works of the temple.

The restoration works were promoted by the General Directorate of Culture – Prince of Viana Institution and the Foundation for the Conservation of the Historical Heritage of Navarra, and directed by the technicians of the Historical Heritage Service, in charge of the archaeological work Jesús Sesma and Mª Inés Tabar, who signed the paper edition.

La obra relata la memoria de la excavación, en la que se recogen aspectos clave de la historia del edificio y del núcleo de la ciudad medieval. It begins by addressing the remains of the aljama mosque (main mosque), which has been fixed in its dimensions and evolution after the conquest of the city.

Continúa con la lectura en el subsuelo de las evidencias que los maestros medievales dejaron en sus cimientos, canteras, hornos, suelos, aljibe, etc. An important part is dedicated to the evolution of funerary uses, since that of Santa María was the main cemetery of the city between the 13th and 19th centuries, highlighting an exceptional set of graves of knights of the medieval nobility of Tudela.

The book has 401 pages in five chapters. Se ilustra en color con más de 200 planos, fotografías y dibujos. It is illustrated in color with more than 200 plans, photographs and drawings. Its cover is illustrated with the detail of the wheel of a golden spur from the burial of a medieval knight.

As a novelty, the publication includes the online edition of 12 annexes that are available for free on the website of the General Directorate of Culture – Príncipe de Viana Institution, with data from the excavation by areas, historical study, stonework marks , Islamic modillions integrated into the temple, tombstones, numismatics, restoration, anthropology, kiln residues, anthracology and lithology, signed by 17 researchers from the aforementioned fields.

El libro “Santa María de Tudela: de mezquita a catedral. Doce siglos en la historia de la ciudad a través de la arqueología” se puede adquirir en librerías y en fondo de publicaciones del Gobierno de Navarra, de la calle Navas de Tolosa, 21 de Pamplona, al precio de 20 euros.

The project has the help of the Government of Navarra, within the call for grants to museums this year, in addition to its own funding.

Through the museum’s social networks (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) the restoration work of the specialized professional, Jesús Iturbide, has been communicated and disseminated.

We have shown the entire restoration process and the work carried out on the pieces: cleaning, consolidation, stucco and reintegration. Además del trabajo citado existe una labor de investigación de las piezas y se hace un estudio y analítica de la policromía original.

Data sheet

The group of sculptures is formed by a crucified Christ, accompanied by the Virgin and Saint John, and Mary Magdalene.
Chronology: 16th century
Origin: church of Santa María Magdalena (Tudela)
Unknown author.

News related to restoration

> The Tudela Museum will undertake the restoration of the historic complex of Calvario (Plaza Nueva). Ver noticia

> Restauran varias figuras del Museo de Tudela (Diario de noticias). Ver noticia