The materials used in its construction were those provided by the surrounding natural environment; that is, Jurassic limestone and Rodeno red sandstone, lime mortar, gypsums of different hues (ochres, bluish greys and intense reds; the latter being the most widely used and which provides the city with is characteristic colour), wood (wild pine or oak, mainly), wrought iron and ceramics. In any case, it should be highlighted that both plaster and wood are the fundamental components of the city’s architecture.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Its main fa\u00e7ade opened to the small square and displayed a doorway of exquisite limestone stonework with a beautiful usable door with iron hardware, knockers and studs that communicated with a small patio. In the patio, two stonework arches open to the entrance, which is almost entirely occupied by wide staircases with wooden handrails and wrought iron railings that end in a typical spire-skylight in whose roof we can see the episcopal coat of arms of Bishop Juan Francisco Navarro Salvador Gilaberte \u2013 the same as appears on the portico of the Palace entrance.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”7358″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” lightbox=”yes”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n The first floor of the episcopal complex housed a large hall and the private rooms of the Vicar General. These rooms are currently the assembly hall and other spaces authorised for meetings, talks, technical workshops and cultural events of the Meeting and Conference Centre of the Fundaci\u00f3n Santa Maria de Albarrac\u00edn, the region\u2019s main cultural engine; this foundation carries out extraordinary restoration work on cultural heritage \u2013 tangible and intangible \u2013 which, in short, projects it as a national reference on the subject.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The main floor of this emblematic building that evokes the 18th century housed the private rooms of the bishop or prelate and the diocesan administrative rooms. The distribution, detail and planning of the private rooms, chapel, common rooms, kitchen, grain stores, etc. resembled that of a palatial home of the period.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n An interesting fact: on the top floor of the palace, which is also the highest point of the city, the halls and rooms that served as residence to the bishop have been preserved and currently house the Diocesan Museum.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”7357″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” lightbox=”yes”][vc_column_text]At the same time, the main chapel is located there, which is accessed by a double door decorated with architectural motifs, one of which says: HAEC PORTA DOMINI JUSTI INTRABUNT IN EAM<\/em> (THIS IS THE DOOR OF GOD, THE RIGHTEOUS WILL PASS THROUGH IT). The provincial Baroque style of the decoration of its walls and vault is surprising, as is the ornate golden and polychrome altarpiece. The Baroque atmosphere and the theatrical nature of the ensemble are impressive, and particularly noteworthy are some paintings with intriguing clerical figures that stick out behind trellising and curtains and that, in short, appear to be guarding the place.<\/p>\n The Diocesan Museum \u2013 as you will see in another section \u2013 exhibits some interesting pieces of jewellery, imagery, paintings and other objects of worship and adornment (16th-century Flemish tapestries from the Brussels-Bravant factory, etc.), originating mainly from the Cathedral and other churches within the diocese.<\/p>\n The spaces not dedicated to the Diocesan Museum are used for the Albarrac\u00edn Meeting and Conference Centre and the offices of the Fundaci\u00f3n Santa Maria de Albarrac\u00edn, dedicated to multiple cultural activities and the restoration of the heritage in the City of Albarrac\u00edn and its Community; as well as, in other territories of our province and Autonomous Community, as previously mentioned.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner]![\"\"](\"\/\/www.albarracin.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/ewpt_cache\/180x200_90_1_c_FFFFFF_0f1856aa7d0135caba3559e783d56116.jpg\")