alfiz

The alfiz ({{IPA|es|alˈfiθ|lang}}, from Andalusi Arabic {{Lang|ar|الحِيْز}} alḥíz, from Standard Arabic {{Lang|ar|الحَيِّز}} alḥáyyiz, meaning 'the container';[http://buscon.rae.es/draeI/SrvltGUIBusUsual?LEMA=alfiz&TIPO_HTML=2 Alfiz]: "DRAE. Diccionario de la Lengua Española. Vigésima segunda edición", Espasa Calpe, S.A, 2003) is an architectural adornment, consisting of a moulding, usually a rectangular panel, which encloses the outward side of an arch. It is an architectonic ornament of Etruscan origin, used in Visigothic, Asturian, Moorish, Mozarabic, Mudéjar and Isabelline Gothic architecture.

Image:Alfiz.tipos02.jpg

It is frequent in the Islamic Hispanic art and Mozarabic art (usually in connection with the horseshoe arch). As the image illustrates, there are two alfiz variants:

1. Alfiz starting from the impost.
2. Alfiz starting from the floor.

The space between the arch and the alfiz is called enjuta or arrabá, usually richly decorated (iron-gray in the illustration). Each curved triangle is called albanega (spandrel).