Great to have you again dear friend @juancar347. The Spanish monastery of San Juan de los Reyes was indeed a fruitful Christmas adventure that allowed you to discover a valuable relic of architecture. That building's Elizabethan Gothic signature is an interesting term to describe its visual character, plus the monochromatic color theme of its vast interior spaces portrays a divine atmosphere, definitely suitable for the constructed religious landmark. This must be an extremely ancient monument because it looks like the landmark's main floor is directly below the street level, isn't it? Hence, you had to descend a few steps to reach the entrance below. Modern developments must have already overlapped this existing edifice. (Please correct me if I'm mistaken).
Of all the sacred geometries in that exquisite location, the photo below caught my attention. I simply can't take off my eyes from all those intricate coffered ceiling details! You also can hardly miss them due to their stark brown contrast from the white surroundings underneath.
Well, I suppose that those steps to which you refer are more modern and refer to the adaptation of the street, although possibly in that same entrance, there was at the time some kind of hostel or hospital for pilgrims. Keep in mind that this way, in addition to being the current entrance, is the place where you can directly access the two cloisters: both the lower one and the stairs that lead to the upper cloister, which at the time must have housed accommodation for pilgrims and converts, as was said at the time. It is not the first time that I visit it, because it is a place that fascinates me, above all, because it has a superlative grandeur and also some small historical enigmas, certainly suspicious. For example, I will tell you one: on the main façade and in Gothic letters that hardly anyone notices, the emblem of the Temple appears (Non nobis, Domin non nobis sed Nomini Tua da Gloriam-Not for us, Lord, not for us but for the Glory of your Name), so it can be assumed that being the monastery after the disappearance of the Order, possibly stonemasons who were related to it at the time took part in it. About photography, what can I say: it is the greatness and magic of the Mudejar coffered ceilings, which as you can see, contain in themselves part of that universal science, which is Sacred Geometry, which was discussed so much by a Muslim teacher and mystic, like Ibh Arabi. As always, I appreciate your comments and observations. An affectionate greeting.
Thank you very much for your explanation of that descending staircase to the entrance. It's simply fascinating to be enlightened by these architectural revelations, especially coming from the interesting pages of Spanish history.
I'm also impressed with this temple's emblem, such a powerful statement indeed! Always a great pleasure to be immersed in your awesome publications. Warm greetings and happy Sunday! 😊