Issue date: 27 Apr, 2021
LEADING FIGURES IN HISTORY. JUAN DE CASTILLO
A stamp framed by a cutout in the shape of an H for History reminds us of some of its great figures. In this case, the issue features Juan de Castillo, with the main motif of the bust set into a side wall of the church of San Pedro in Arnuero, Cantabria, in the place where he is believed to have been born, together with an image of the cloister of the Monastery of Santa María da Vitória, also known as Batalha Monastery, which he designed.
Juan de Castillo was born in Cantabria but was most famous in Portugal, where he is known as João de Castilho and considered a national hero, not least because he is the only architect in the world with five UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
He is believed to have worked on Burgos Cathedral in the late 15th century, which at that time already had its two slender spires on the façade, recently constructed by Juan de Colonia, whose son Simón was then engaged in building the famous Condestable chapel.
His greatest achievements came when he arrived in Portugal, in the reign of Manuel I, the Fortunate, who was a notable patron of the arts, sciences, and exploration.
He was hired by the Archbishop of Braga to direct the construction of the main chapel of Braga Cathedral.
After that his rise was meteoric. His five most important works, internationally recognised and, as mentioned above, now UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are: the Convent of Cristo, in Tomar, 138 km northeast of Lisbon; Monastery of Los Jerónimos de Belém, in Lisbon; Batalha Monastery, in Batalha, 153 km north of Lisbon; Alcobaça Monastery, 125 km north of Lisbon; and the Fortress of Mazagán, in Morocco.
Today, Spanish philately dedicates a stamp to him, in homage to his great work and the mark this Cantabrian left both in and outside Spain.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.