The Three Cultures Foundation offers the online course 'Architecture of a frontier space: the Moorish band, 13th-15th centuries'

This course will introduce you to a historical heritage that is scattered and abandoned throughout Andalusia, usually in rural areas. It is mainly about fortifications, but also bridges, hermitages and quarries. These are part of the border that existed between two worlds and cultures for 250 years, and which in its western part was called "Banda Morisca" (The Moorish Band)

This proposal will contemplate the deepening of the interpretation and the historical value in social and economic terms to understand the construction of the territory and its landscapes, strongly conditioned due to the fact of being a frontier. Neglect and historiographic oblivion have left little or no evidence in the cultural and documentary field, leaving remains as the only testimony.

In this course, we will analyse the historical context that led to the creation of this architectural network, the why and when of this constructive impulse that undoubtedly involved an enormous effort with the imposition of a real constructive programme. After this first phase of historical and architectural description we will move on to a second phase in which we will explain some current concepts and criteria of architectural restoration, and the strategy of heritage conservation followed by the Administration.

Finally, it will be shown how a heritage assessment focused on socio-cultural activation and economic reactivation can safeguard this heritage and even benefit the economic fabric of the environment, also helping to retain the population of these rural areas. 

The online course will last 30 hours, starting on Monday 11 January 2021; it will cost 90 euros for the general public and 80 euros for the unemployed, retired people and university students. 

To register, it is necessary to fill out the form on the Three Cultures Foundation website. More information via email doloresj@tresculturas.org 

A series of bonuses are established: bonus in Social Insurances. The amount of the registration fee can be reduced for students who work in private entities, managing it through FUNDAE (State Foundation for Employment Training, formerly Fundación Tripartita). For information on procedures, you can call or write to the V.F.P. partner company at least seven days before the start of the course, on 917587583 or bonificaciones@vfp.es. 

Juan Francisco Molina Rozalem has a doctorate in architecture from the University of Seville and is a lecturer and researcher at the ETSA. In addition to his teaching and research work, he has been working as an architect since 2006. In 2015 he won a national prize for his doctoral thesis, entitled 'Defensive architecture on the borders of the kingdom of Seville during the late Middle Ages. Territorial implantation of fortifications and analysis of the Moorish band', and he has continued to develop this line of research since then, focusing on the recovery of the historical-architectural heritage, in particular the late Middle Ages in the south of the peninsula. 

It is worth highlighting its continuous participation in heritage related activities, such as attending seminars, participating in congresses and courses, giving lectures, participating in symposiums and research working groups.