Today was a short trek (14.34 miles). Again, we are still on the plains with long stretches of open fields. We stopped in Villalcázar de Sirga to visit La Parroquia de Santa María la Blanca. I will explain more about this site later. There was a threat of rain but fortunately all we got was a lot of wind. The temperature was mild and good for walking.
This beautiful little church was just off the highway along which the Camino goes. It is the Iglesia de San Miguel and was held by the Knights of Malta.
Villalcázar de Sirga
The image below is known as Santa María la Blanca (13th Century). There are number of miracles associated with this image; many of them chronicled by Alfonso X, el Sabio in his Cantigas de Santa María (1270-1282).
The piece above is near the tomb of Felipe de Castilla y Suabia, the son of Fernando III, el Santo, and Felipe's second wife Inés Rodriguéz Girón. He was brothers to Alfonso X. Buried along with Felipe and Inés is Juan de Pereira, knight of the Order of Saint James.
The view below is from the back of the church's principal nave. For some perspective note that the altar is approximately 40 feet high.
We are in Carrión de los Condes
Below is the Romanesque entrance to the Iglesia de Santiago in Carrión de los Condes. What draws my attention isn't the large representation of Christ in Glory at the threshold of the church but rather the archivolt with the smaller figures.
Here are the figures moving from left to right:
At the far left is a tailor with his scissors cutting some cloth
The figure on the right is of a blacksmith fanning the flames of his forge with a bellows.
the middle figure is of a scholar with book in hand
above are two soldiers in battle with their shields held high
the the center figure is of a violinist with legs crossed playing his instrument
Similar to many Medieval churches these openings into sacred space often reminded those who entered that they were leaving the world to enter into the presence of the Divine. Unlike the church in Frómista that reminded people of the sinfulness of the world, this one reminds them that they are leaving aside the daily world of work and politics to be with God.
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