An online talk about mosaics in Spain, Italy, and Winchester as accessible to pilgrims then and now.

The second online talk from our 'Winchester & the St James Way' series is designed in response to the 'connections' element of this year's general theme. A pilgrimage destination attracts people not just from one region and along the way, but from a starshaped geography around that location. A pilgrim would encounter cultural experiences from those far distant regions as well as their own travel destination. The places that formed part of the pilgrimage network will also show influences of these contacts.

We will explore this principle with the case study of mosaics - then and now. Our route from our studio doorstep to Santiago will encounter multiple types of Roman mosaics, and the modern branches that grew out of them. Spain also has ample representations of Islamic art that was brought to the country by its medieval conquerors and continued to influence the local culture long after the conquerors had left. Today, the mosaics of Gaudi and his Cathedral of the Sagrada Familia have spread their style throughout Spain and influence even our studio here in Britain.

Participants are very welcome to bring their own examples of such crosspollinations between travel locations, whether they be mosaic or not, as the first part of the talk will be a lecture style which can then open up to a larger discussion, if desired.

Event times

• Friday 13 September: 6:00-7:00pm

Booking information

Pre-booking: Required.

Location & directions

This is an online talk.

Additional information

1 hour.

Header image: A mosaic sign for the St James Way in Caceres, Spain_credit Esser-Miles Mosaics