An information board on the right side of the central nave refers to, in Spanish, "Panteón Infantes" and "Princes' Pantheon" in English, where the remains of those royal figures who did not become kings are kept. You may know that the Spanish for 'prince' (of the royal blood) is 'infante' and the word for 'princess' (ditto) is 'infanta'. Where they have both, they can say 'infantes', which covers male and female. I guess I'd have to say Pantheon of Princes and Princesses.
The board gives this information: "The most outstanding piece is the cover of the sarcophagus of Blanca Garcés (1135-56), daughter of García Ramírez, wife of Sancho IV [Is this a mistake? She is described as the wife of Sancho III elsewhere.] and mother of Alfonso VIII." I took several photos of the large piece of stone.
More information: "The back side presents biblical scenes related to nuptials or maternity, in which women play an essential role. In the centre, we can see Christ in Majesty surrounded by girls who carry lamps. It represents the parable of the careful and careless virgins." There were ten virgins in the parable: five wise and five foolish. However, my photo (attached) appears to show four figures on the left of the 'central' figure of Christ in Majesty, with seven figures on the right. That makes eleven virgins.
Does anyone have an explanation?
My second question is this. Were there two Blanca Garcés or does the one lady have two tombs? In the Royal Pantheon there is a tomb on the foot of which is carved the inscription: La Reina Doña Blanca de Castilla Mujer de Don Sancho Deseado de Castilla.
The board gives this information: "The most outstanding piece is the cover of the sarcophagus of Blanca Garcés (1135-56), daughter of García Ramírez, wife of Sancho IV [Is this a mistake? She is described as the wife of Sancho III elsewhere.] and mother of Alfonso VIII." I took several photos of the large piece of stone.
More information: "The back side presents biblical scenes related to nuptials or maternity, in which women play an essential role. In the centre, we can see Christ in Majesty surrounded by girls who carry lamps. It represents the parable of the careful and careless virgins." There were ten virgins in the parable: five wise and five foolish. However, my photo (attached) appears to show four figures on the left of the 'central' figure of Christ in Majesty, with seven figures on the right. That makes eleven virgins.
Does anyone have an explanation?
My second question is this. Were there two Blanca Garcés or does the one lady have two tombs? In the Royal Pantheon there is a tomb on the foot of which is carved the inscription: La Reina Doña Blanca de Castilla Mujer de Don Sancho Deseado de Castilla.