The Brotherhood of the Coronation of Thorns Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary with an Exhibition on the History of the Palace of Fuenclara
The exhibition «From Circle to Crown», which will be open at the Palace of Montemuzo until January 11, showcases over a hundred photographs, documents, and objects representing the various uses of the Palace of Fuenclara during the 20th century, the first headquarters of this Zaragoza brotherhood. The exhibition transports visitors through the rich history of this Renaissance building, which has housed everything from schools to a cinema, and served as the home of the Fuenclara football club and multiple Catholic organizations.
The Multiple Uses of the Palace of Fuenclara
Educational Function
The exhibition begins by highlighting the educational past of the palace, featuring photographs of students during recess, group photos, and communion reminders. To contextualize this period, original elements such as a desk from that time, a globe that was found in one of the classrooms, and various school materials are on display.
A second area is dedicated to football, as the building was the home of CD Fuenclara, one of the founding teams of the Aragonese Football Federation that, after several mergers, would become part of Real Zaragoza. The exhibition includes images of the team and individual players, curious documents such as a letter regarding the loan of a player to Iberia for an international match, and a reproduction of a CD Fuenclara jersey.
After the palace was ceded to the Archdiocese of Zaragoza in 1899 by Manuel Dronda, the building hosted the Protective Society of Young Workers and Merchants. The third exhibition space documents the trips made by its members, primarily to destinations within the province of Zaragoza such as Belchite, Sobradiel, and Caspe.
Social and Cultural Life of the Palace
The exhibition reflects how the different spaces of the Palace of Fuenclara served as a meeting point for people from all social strata. The images depict the differences between affluent families and more common scenes, as well as documenting the businesses located in the lower part of the building, such as Farmacia Lasala. Personal letters, employment contracts, and rental agreements illustrate the wide-ranging commercial activity in the area.
The palace functioned as a prominent cultural center, hosting various theater groups and a hall designated for both theatrical performances and film screenings. The exhibition includes photographs of actors and musicians before their performances, children in Egyptian costumes, plays with actor notes, programs from the pieces performed, and contracts related to film exploitation, complemented by an audiovisual presentation from the time.
The Origin of the Brotherhood of the Coronation of Thorns
The final section focuses on the religious aspects of the Catholic associations that were based in the palace. Photographs document participation in processions on Palm Sunday under the Dean’s Arch, Corpus Christi celebrations leaving from La Seo, and theatrical representations of the Passion of Jesus.
The Brotherhood of the Coronation of Thorns was founded in 1951, establishing its first headquarters in this historic space. Among the items on display are an image of the first members, the founding documents, the altar of the Chapel of Fuenclara, a processional step, one of the original habits, and the second banner of the Brotherhood, a replica of the first one that was converted into the mantle of the Virgin of the Pillar.
The exhibition offers free guided tours on Fridays at 6:00 PM and Saturdays at 11:00 AM. Reservations can be made through Zaragoza Exposiciones’ Eventbrite. There is also the possibility of organizing group visits via email at didacticaexposiciones@zaragoza.es.
