Little sculptures

[Theatregal]

Three of the many fantastical drain spout gargoyles of the Monasterio de San Martin Pinario. Santiago de Compostela.

 

[Tia Valeria]

This figure is from Pontedeume (Camino Inglés) and I assume it is from the church. Taken in 2011 and not labelled . Maybe some-one can fully identify it for us please.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Maybe some-one can fully identify it for us please.

File:Statue of Saint Augustine in Pontedeume.jpg

 

[David Tallan]

Three of the many fantastical drain spout gargoyles of the Monasterio de San Martin Pinario. Santiago de Compostela.

View attachment 166370 View attachment 166371

Wow! I will have to look up at them next time I stay there.

 

[David Tallan]

In the cathedral in Leon. Taken in 2016.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

In the cathedral in Leon. Taken in 2015.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Montes de Oca forest
San Juan de Ortega monastery
tomb

photo taken October 31, 2011




San Juan de Ortega/ Saint John of the Nettles is buried within this splendid Gothic mausoleum which displays his recumbent effigy and additional small figures.

 

[Theatregal]

Wow! I will have to look up at them next time I stay there.

There are many!!!

The Gargoyles of Santiago de Compostela and their Fantastic Iconography

Our first post on Galicia is based in Santiago de Compostela, a lovely, unique city where you'll discover some amazing and magical gargoyles.

doloresherrero.com

 

[Devereaux]

Santiago Matamoros - -- and of course John Wayne
Logrono
CF

 

[David Tallan]

Simple faces
Iglesia de El Salvador, Grandas de Salime
Primitivo

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Montes de Oca forest
San Juan de Ortega monastery
church interior

photo taken October 31, 2011



0ne of the magnificent Romanesque capitals which top the lofty interior columns within the monastery church depicts a fight similar to that between Roland and Farragut.

For an extensive illustrated discussion in Spanish of the importance of the Roland/Farragut or Roldán y Ferragut legend along the CF see this Sasua net articulo
by Javier Hermoso de Mendoza.

 

[David Tallan]

Camino Frances
Montes de Oca forest
San Juan de Ortega monastery
church interior

photo taken October 31, 2011

View attachment 166502

0ne of the magnificent Romanesque capitals which top the lofty interior columns within the monastery church depicts a fight similar to that between Roland and Farragut.

For an extensive illustrated discussion in Spanish of the importance of the Roland/Farragut or Roldán y Ferragut legend along the CF see this Sasua net articulo
by Javier Hermoso de Mendoza.

There's a reason I picked a Roland and Farragut sculpture for the first post of this thread.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Léon
calle Cien Doncellas.

photo taken March 7, 2007



Repurposed sculptural fragments have been set into this more recent wall on one of the narrow streets north of the cathedral cloister.

 

[David Tallan]

This one was just in a wall on the side of the road in Portugal, October 2018.

 

[Theatregal]

Two little heads on a wall of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Oseira. Camino Sanabrés. April 26, 2018

 

[duncanwhyte]

Ourense

 

[David Tallan]

Facade detail, Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos, Santiago de Compostela.

 

[Theatregal]

The writer himself in the garden of the Ramón del Valle-Inclán House-Museum in Vilanova de Arousa. Variante Espiritual. August 16, 2015.

 

[mspath]

Santiago de Compostela
plaza de la Quintana
Cathedral, east facade, 2012

photo taken December 9, 2012



Santiago stands above the Holy Door on the 17th c. east facade of the cathedral.

 

[Tia Valeria]

These are from the churches in Betanzos (Camino Inglés) in the old town: Santiago, Santa Maria (2) and San Francisco. The last was built by the Andrade family and the boar is part of their family emblem.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Granon
Iglesia de San Juan Bautista

photo taken February 20, 2007



This spendid 16th c. eclesiastical piece within the church was handsomely lighted when we pilgrims were invited to attend evening mass.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Navarrete

photo taken January 28, 2008



These poignant figures at the cemetery entrance memorialize a Belgian woman hit/killed by a car while cycling in 1986 on the CF/N120 east of Navarrete.

 

[duncanwhyte]

Near Botos

 

[David Tallan]

Since I just posted a photo from the Camino Finisterre in the "Long and Winding Road" thread, here's a little sculptural relief from Finisterre:

 

[lalaone]

From the cloisters of Pamplona's cathedral, a small detail from the ceiling.
(With a larger background for perspective)

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Estella
San Pedro de la Rúa

photo taken October 24, 2014



This Romanesque capital in the cloister of San Pedro de la Rúa monastery depicts a group of three horsemen, ie Magi or wisemen.

 

[mspath]

I've always been fond of the sculptures on the facade of the Iglesia del Santo Sepulcro in Estella. Here are a few of them:
View attachment 166366

David,
Have you any photos of the interior of the Iglesia del Santo Sepulcro? Each time I ever walked past it was closed to visitors. After reading Wikipedia I would love to see:
"El tímpano de la portada se divide en tres niveles. En el inferior se representa "La Última Cena", en la superior "La crucifixión", mientras que el central presenta tres escenas: a la izquierda "Las tres Marías junto al sepulcro", en la central "El rescate de los inocentes" y a la derecha el "Noli me tangere" "

Margaret

 

[JWB]

Camino de Madrid. Wamba, it has 6th-ish-century Visigothic aspects and 9th-ish-century Mozarabic aspects.

 

[David Tallan]

Okay. After @JWB posted his from Wamba, I had to do likewise.

 

[David Tallan]

David,
Have you any photos of the interior of the Iglesia del Santo Sepulcro? Each time I ever walked past it was closed to visitors. After reading Wikipedia I would love to see:
"El tímpano de la portada se divide en tres niveles. En el inferior se representa "La Última Cena", en la superior "La crucifixión", mientras que el central presenta tres escenas: a la izquierda "Las tres Marías junto al sepulcro", en la central "El rescate de los inocentes" y a la derecha el "Noli me tangere" "

Margaret

I haven't yet, but it is something to keep in mind the next time I walk past.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Ayegui

photo taken October 20, 2011



This personal ad hoc mix of symbols of the route, including a tile of Santiago, decorated a wall near Irache

 

[mspath]

I haven't yet, but it is something to keep in mind the next time I walk past.

David,

Please check out my latest update here

 

[Theatregal]

I like this sculptural deco wrought iron sign along Rúa da Algalia de Abaixo in Santiago - the beams of light from a lighthouse within the rough outline of Galica. At least... that's what I assume the image is
I always walk by to see it when I'm there.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Lameiros
Crucifix

photo taken November 29, 2011



This Crucifix is in the hamlet of Lameiros located west of Ventas de Narón and east of Palas de Rai. For a lower detail of the same piece see this earlier post

 

[David Tallan]

The last photo I shared was from my 2023 Camino, so here is one from 2018. The cathedral entrance in Tui.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Estella
Calle San Nicolás, 1
Palacio de los Reyes de Navarra

photo taken October 25, 2013



On the 12th c. Romanesque civil structure known as the Palacio de los Reyes de Navarra this capital illustrates the fight between Roland and the giant Farragut.

For a good overview of the importance of the Roland/Farragut or Roldán y Ferragut legend on the CF in the Estella area see this Spanish account.

 

[David Tallan]

From the ruins of San Domingos in Potevedra, on the Camino Portugues, 2018.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Burgos
cathedral museum

photo taken October 20, 2004



Within the cathedral museum is this mid 15th c. reliquary. Roughly 30cm. high, clad in vermeil/ gold plate on silver, Saint James wears a pilgrim hat complete with shell atop his precise curls. Sainthood is depicted by the flat halo behind his head. He grips his pilgrim staff and from one shoulder hangs a tiny traveling bag known as a scrip also decorated with shells....I still fondly recall seeing this exquisite little sculpture for the first time in 2004.

 

[mspath]

Camino Argones
Muruzábal
Iglesia de Santa María de Eunate

photo taken October 21, 2015



Detail of one of the early Romanesque capitals topping a column of the portico which encircles in part the octagonal church.

 

[David Tallan]

I'll see your photo from Eunate and raise you one from the same place.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Puente La Reine/ Gares
Iglesia del Crucifijo

photo taken October 22, 2014



Detail of one of the early Romanesque capitals

 

[David Tallan]

I think it is time for another from the cloister in Santa Maria la Real de Nieva.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Here is one of mine from the cloister at Santa Maria la Real de Nieva. It was hard not to take a photo of every one of the capitals on all sides.

 

[David Tallan]

Here is one of mine from the cloister at Santa Maria la Real de Nieva. It was hard not to take a photo of every one of the capitals on all sides.
View attachment 167177

I was unable to resist. I have them all.

 

[Tia Valeria]

This little crucifix is on the wall of La Ermita de San Bartolomé, Caborredondo, Oreña, Cantabria. (Camino del Norte)

 

[Theatregal]

Cast and wrought iron sculpture - Cathedral de Santiago. April 24, 2018.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I was unable to resist. I have them all.
View attachment 167211

Well, that's a heck of a plethora! I wonder how many photos you have?

 

[David Tallan]

Well, that's a heck of a plethora! I wonder how many photos you have?
View attachment 167218View attachment 167219

112 photos from the cloisters.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Cast and wrought iron sculpture - Cathedral de Santiago. April 24, 2018.

View attachment 167215 View attachment 167213 View attachment 167214 View attachment 167216 View attachment 167217

Those are really unique and interesting!

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Cirauqui
Iglesia San Roman

photo taken February 12, 2007



Bright winter sunshine effectively lit these figures in the distinctive polylobed pointed arch above a doorway on the 12th c. Iglesia San Roman .

 

[Camino Chrissy]

@mspath,
I love that incredible intricate detail and it is still in perfect condition.

P.S. I loved the approach to seeing Cirauqui in the distance. Coming from the US, it was exciting to see as we have nothing ancient set on a hill like that.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I know this was in Estella and I think this was in the Iglesia de San Pedro de la Rúa. Definitely the church with the long steep steps up to it (or for those shown the way a bit beyond, an elevator to the cloisters).

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I know this was in Estella and I think this was in the Iglesia de San Pedro de la Rúa. Definitely the church with the long steep steps up to it (or for those shown the way a bit beyond, an elevator to the cloisters).

I went to the Sculpture museum in Valladolid and your statue reminds me of the style I learned about; polychrome layers over wood carvings, then painted.
Examples of the wood backs-


Polychrome over wood- (Notice the toes are broken, exposing the wood underneath.) I would not have noticed this had I not gone to the museum days earlier.


P.S. For me, Estella is nearly synonymous with those long steep steps you mention.

 

[David Tallan]

I went to the Sculpture museum in Valladolid and your statue reminds me of the style I learned about; polychrome layers over wood carvings, then painted.

OK. If we are are sharing sculpture from the Sculpture Museum in Valladolid:
A misericord seat from a choir stall, around 1497

 

[Camino Chrissy]

OK. If we are are sharing sculpture from the Sculpture Museum in Valladolid:
A misericord seat from a choir stall, around 1497
View attachment 167280

Well, David, no surprise since most threads do a bit of wandering.
Your sculpture example looks beautifully carved, and intricately formed from wood alone, with no built up layering (although I am only guessing).

 

[David Tallan]

Well, David, no surprise since most threads do a bit of wandering.
Your sculpture example looks beautifully carved, and intricately formed from wood alone, with no built up layering (although I am only guessing).

Here's the description...

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Alto de San Roque
pilgrim sculpture

photo taken November 30, 2012



Viewed across a winter landscape
this snow covered sculpture of a pilgrim appeared to be small.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Burgos
Plaza de la Libertad
Casa del Cordón
detail

photo taken February 4, 2008



Carved in stone the heavy ropes/cords which surround the main door give the 15th c. palace its name, the Casa del Cordón: it is presently used as a bank/exhibition space.

 

[David Tallan]

Here's a gargoyle from Medina de Rioseco on the Camino de Madrid.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Sahagún
municipal Albergue Cluny

photo taken March 3, 2007



This clever contemporary metal sculpture marked the entrance to the municipal Albergue Cluny which is in the repurposed ex-Iglesia de la Trinidad.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Najera
Panteón Real
sarcophagus

photo taken February 18, 2007



Small figures adorn the 12th c. sarcophagus of Bianca Garcés de Pamplona one of the multitude of sculpted pieces within the pantheon of the kings of the kingdom of Nájera-Pamplon installed in a wing of the monastery of Santa María la Real.

 

[Theatregal]

Simple and lovely with tiny candle lit, on a wall in Belinho. Camino Portugués da Costa. August 3, 2015.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

OK guys, this is a joke but @Theatregal's photo put this picture I took into my head. A bar in Bolea a stage past Huesca on the Camino Catalan. I took the picture because of the logo on the coffee cup.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Hilarious, Rick!
This reminds me of a bar/restaurant I was in while walking one of my Caminos. Absolutely all of its attractive "themed decor" was entirely relating to famous things and objects in London. The irony is that not one worker helping us spoke a lick of English.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
O Cebreiro
pilgrim sculpture

photo taken November 23, 2011



This is a great location by the gate overlooking the rolling landscape towards distant Ponferrada.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Villovieco

photo taken November 14, 2012



This "art brut" pilgrim stood firmly within a meadow near Villarmentaro de Campos on the way to Villalcázar de Sirga. ... I wonder if he still is there.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

This "art brut" pilgrim stood firmly within a meadow

He is absolutely the cutest pilgrim I've seen; simply adorable!

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Cirauqui
Iglesia San Román
detail

photo taken October 23, 2013



This small figure wearing the robes of a bishop is amidst the extraordinary carved Romanesque archivolt which enframes the major doorway of the San Román church.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

@mspath's post above somehow reminded me of a quest that was given to forum members. @joanjf was looking for an imagine of Daniel in the lions' den in relation to the last days of her late brother's camino. It was found and reported here.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/missing-pilgrim.24269/#post-579434

Look at the following posts too for better pictures.

 

[Tia Valeria]

The doorway of the church in LLanes (C de Norte) has lovely carving on the archway, including several animals.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

When I think of all the chiseled intricately carved little sculptures into stone, I am amazed at the amount of thought and time that went into each one.

 

[mspath]

Toulouse, France
Basilique Saint-Sernin
la porte Miégeville, detail

photo taken January 6, 2012



Almost midway on the 800 km Via Tolosana/Voie d'Arles aka the French GR653 which connects Arles to the Col du Somport this slightly salacious carving of small fĺigures adorns the Basilique Saint-Sernin.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Villalcazar de Sirga
Iglesia de Santa María la Blanca

photo taken November 6, 2011



Sacred, eternal beauty endures within the austere 12-14th c. fortress-church, Santa María la Blanca, originally built by/for the Knights Templar and later a royal Marian sanctuary .

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Sacred, eternal beauty endures

This is an elegant sculpture and I love the tastefully painted subtle colors the artist used.

 

[David Tallan]

Here's one from the cathedral in Burgos. Photo taken 21 July 2016.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Montes de Oca forest
La Pedraja, Monumento a los Caidos

photo taken February 23, 2007



Glimpsing the small dove on the Monument to the Fallen/Monumento a los Caidos, where 300 people were shot in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War was truly poignant.

 

[VNwalking]

Coming to this thread very late and so glad it's still going!
So many possibilities, but two of my favorites are the and wolves and cows watching over the side and front doors respectively of the church in Diamondi on the Invierno.
I know what door I would be using.

 

[Kirkie]

Camino Frances
Villalcazar de Sirga
Iglesia de Santa María la Blanca

photo taken November 6, 2011

View attachment 167686

Sacred, eternal beauty endures within the austere 12-14th c. fortress-church, Santa María la Blanca, originally built by/for the Knights Templar and later a royal Marian sanctuary .

Am I correct that this statue, wooden, survived the effects of the Portuguese earthquake in mid 18th century? Somewhere I have a photo of a view from the other side of the statue. What I recall is that it is wooden, and that the statue is attributed with having saved the church from destruction resulting from the tremors. It is indeed a thing of beauty. The tenderness is palpable.
As a dear friend was wont to say: I could be wrong. I remember I was, once before...

 

[mspath]

Am I correct that this statue, wooden, survived the effects of the Portuguese earthquake in mid 18th century? Somewhere I have a photo of a view from the other side of the statue. What I recall is that it is wooden, and that the statue is attributed with having saved the church from destruction resulting from the tremors. It is indeed a thing of beauty. The tenderness is palpable.
As a dear friend was wont to say: I could be wrong. I remember I was, once before...

Kirkie,
The church and statue are in Villalcazar de Sirga, Spain. I do not know the provenance of the statue.

 

[Kirkie]

Kirkie,
The church and statue are in Villalcazar de Sirga, Spain. I do not know the provenance of the statue.

Yes, In Villalcazar de Sirga, Spain. However, the tremors reached far and wide. My walking companion knew from her mother and her history teacher of the history. I will check. And get back to you!

 

[Tia Valeria]

Two interesting 'windows' in the old church of San Salvador de Valdediós (C Primitivo), near Oviedo.
They are both carved from a single piece of stone and are on either side of the doorway.



The doorway is from the monastery - also at Valdediós

 

[VNwalking]

Two interesting 'windows' in the old church of San Salvador de Valdediós

Similar windows from 2 Visigothic churches in Oviedo, also on the Primitivo:
San Julian de los Prados,

San Miguel de Lliño

 

[David Tallan]

Many might recognize these from Castrojeriz...

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Puente la Reina
C. Mayor, 13
Iglesia de Santiago
statue

photo taken February 7, 2007



This 13th c. polycromed wooden statue of Santiago boasts a distinctive beard.
....

 

[VNwalking]

I took more photos of little sculptures yesterday than I could post in a month.
Here is only one.

Two apostles are standing above a small but gruesome predatory drama. The Sacred Chamber in Oviedo Cathedral.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Santo Domingo de la Calzada
cathedral interior
effigy

photo taken November 2, 2013



Santo Domingo, an 11th c. hermit who had devotedly improved the local pilgrimage route, ie. the "calzada", is buried within the cathedral which bears his name . The symbol of Santo Domingo is a pair of chickens due to a legend of a young pilgrim's life saved by interceding immortal fowl.

 

[David Tallan]

OK. This may be stretching the criteria of "little sculptures" but I came across this photo from the Camino de San Salvador and couldn't resist.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

OK. This may be stretching the criteria of "little sculptures" but I came across this photo from the Camino de San Salvador and couldn't resist.
View attachment 167906

I think it is quirky, but adorable.

 

[lalaone]

Entering Pamplona

 

[David Tallan]

This contortionist appears to be from the exterior of the Iglesia de Santa Maria del Camino o del Mercado in Leon.

 

[mspath]

Camino de la Lana
Santo Domingo de Silos
Cloister, detail

photo taken January 23, 2013



At Silos the two story Romanesque cloister was embellished with extraordinary sculpted panels such as the Sepulture and Resurrection.

 

[VNwalking]

More contortionists, holding up the roof of Igrexa de San Miguel de Bacurin, on the Primitivo.

 

[David Tallan]

More roof supporters, from San Martin in Fromista, photo from March 21, 1989.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Fromista, 2007
Iglesia San Martin

photo taken February 28, 2007



Once part of a large monastery the Iglesia San Martin, an 11th c. Romanesque church, now unconsecrated, is a museum where this pilgrim balances precariously.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Two more from the Primitivo (taken in 2012).
1) Santa Maria - Leboreiro and 2) Melide - also Santa Maria

 

[David Tallan]

Here's another from the Primitivo, or perhaps more appropriately from the San Salvador, since it is from the destination of the latter route within the Cathedral in Oviedo.

 

[VNwalking]

Here's another from the Primitivo

That's the whole scene from the one I posted. Perfect! It gives perspective.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Roncesvalles monastery
battle monument

photos taken October 5, 2005



This monument erected 15 August 1978 commemorates the twelfth centenary of the Battle of Roncesvalles c. 778 when Charlemagne and Roland fought against invaders.

 

[David Tallan]

Camino Frances
Roncesvalles monastery
battle monument

photos taken October 5, 2005

View attachment 168112View attachment 168113

This monument erected 15 August 1978 commemorates the twelfth centenary of the Battle of Roncesvalles c. 778 when Charlemagne and Roland fought against invaders.

The same monument. Photo taken on March 20, 1989.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Roncesvalles monastery

photo taken February 7, 2007



Winter sunlight lit this emblematic main entrance gate post on a cold February afternoon.