Olivenza: Modelo de transferencias arquitectónicas y urbanísticas entre España Y Portugal

Abstract

The positioning of a certain town in a certain territory involves a series of inside-outside relationships that influenceits history and define the dynamics of its layout. This fact becomes especially evident in border towns. Inthe frontier town of Olivenza, a number of historical factors also come into play and make it an example of howmilitary and political circumstances dictate the guidelines determining the foundation and development of cities.The architectural landscape and the development of the layout of Olivenza clearly reflect the continual changesin political and military power the city experienced between 1297 (the Treaty of Alcañices) and 1801 (the Treatyof Badajoz). They also reflect the town’s need to adapt to these circumstances through urban dynamics that sawit switch between a north-south axis, when it came under the control of the Kingdom of Portugal, and an eastwestaxis, when it was ruled by Castile.