Today was a mild 15 mile trek through some beautiful vineyards. The area is known as El Bierzo and produces some of Spain's best wines (alongside La Rioja). We walked through some small cities located along rolling hills.
Thank goodness for markers to help us find our way and not get lost!
Crossing the river as we left Ponferrada looking back at the Templar Castle
Sometimes the markers can be quite entertaining. They help keep the trekking interesting!
We found a little friend along the way.
Yeah! We are less than 200 kilometers from our goal of Santiago de Compostela!
As we enter Villafranca del Bierzo we come upon this medieval church; La Iglesia de Santiago. The large door (to the left) is called the Puerta del Perdón (The Door of Forgiveness). In the middle ages if a person fell ill at this stage and was unable to make it to Santiago, they could be relieved of their sins by the local priest. The door has some beautiful capitals that tell the story of the three Kings who sought out the Christ child.
The three kings come before Herod.
As they sleep, an angel appears to them and warns them of Herod's deceit and they must leave.
They are seen here on their animals leaving to reach the Christ child
The last capital (most outward of the four) depicts the crucifixion. It seems that this sequence teaches the pilgrim a powerful story: the three magi came seeking the Christ. They confronted Herod (evil) and when they were warned by an angel of the king's intentions they fled the city. When they found Christ child they brought him gifts that represented the young child's place as King and Redeemer. Like the magi we should escape those who would destroy the Christ and mock his role as Redeemer. The capital with the Crucifixion reminds the pilgrim that we should be like the magi and seek out the Savior and honor him with our gifts of contrition and repentance.
No comments:
Post a Comment