Little sculptures

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Roncesvalles monastery
Iglesia de Santa María
interior detail

photo taken February 7, 2007



Various symbols enrich this carved coffre encased on a side aisle near the main entrance of the Iglesia de Santa María.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

"No, it wasn't me!"


Another ...


from what I believe was the moved church in Portomarin.

 

[David Tallan]

Here's another one from San Martin in Fromista:

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

San Martin it is then.

 

[VNwalking]

Here is a beautiful little statue from the Cathedral in Santiago that I've never noticed before. It has its own little niche along the NW wall of the transept.

 

[David Tallan]

Here is a beautiful little statue from the Cathedral in Santiago that I've never noticed before. It has its own little niche along the NW wall of the transept.
View attachment 168259

OK. Here's another one from the Cathedral in Santiago.

 

[mspath]

Camino de la Lana
Santo Domingo de Silos


photo taken January 24, 2013



This bronze monument is of the 11th c. Abbot for whom the great monastery is named; the elongated silhouette and accentuated curves appear to be in the Spanish Modernismo style.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Weird Yoda.

 

[VNwalking]

Now that the Cathedral in Santiago is restored, you can see all sorts of things that were never obvious before. Like these guys holding up the dome over the crossing of the transept and the nave. There are 8bof them, each a bit different.

 

[David Tallan]

Not in the cathedral, I believe this is from the chapel in the Hostal de Los Reyes Catolicos in Santiago.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Burgos, map/marker

photo taken November 8, 2013



Sometimes small figures can be seen beneath your feet as on this map/marker set within the pavement of the Alto Burgos area, near the castle and uphill from the cathedral.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Roncesvalles monastery

photo taken February 7, 2007



The hat below the window signifies this as the Casa Prioral.

 

[David Tallan]

Yet another one from the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, October 2018.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
leaving Navarrete

photo taken October 28, 2015



Attached to the entrance wall of the Navarrete cemetery west of town this contemporary marker/tablet depicts two pilgrim basics, a water gourd and staff.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Attached to the entrance wall of the Navarrete cemetery west of town this contemporary marker/tablet depicts two pilgrim basics, a water gourd and staff.

I've got this picture too. I didn't note its location though. Thank you.

 

[VNwalking]

I'm a sucker for horses.
These guys are on the portico leading into the Capilla Sta Maria Corticela in Santiago.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Call me a cheater; this isn't a sculpture but it is attached to a church, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. 2019 and 2015.

 

[David Tallan]

Here's one from the mysterious church in Eunate.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
León
Cathedral Santa Maria
cloister door, detail

photo taken March 7, 2007



This panel from the entrance door into the Claustro/Cloister of the León cathedral, was visible in 2007. Can it still be easily seen?

 

[BarbaraW]

I spotted this yesterday, church of Santiago, Caceres on the VDLP. Not sure if it is St James or a pilgrim.

 

[markie6]

Old seat that I have seen a few times but forget where right now

 

[David Tallan]

In the choir of the cathedral in Leon. From my 2016 Camino that I walked with my son, Tobias.

 

[VNwalking]

I'm not sure if this counts.
But the organ pipes in the Santiago Cathedral are positively crawling with cherubs.
I never noticed this before the restoration.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Definitely not little. This was on exhibit in the nave of the Sagrada Familia in 2019. It, or a bigger version, is too be on one of the church's spires.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Puente La Reina - Gares
Calle del Crucifijo
Iglesia del Crucifijo
interior

photo taken February 11, 2007



This is the distinctive 14th c. crucifix for which the church, convent and calle are named

 

[Theatregal]

In the hermitage of Nuestra Señora del Socorro, Población de Campos.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Roncesvalles monastery

photo taken February 7, 2007



This somber photograph examplifies the endurance of the Romanesque style.

 

[David Tallan]

Here's one from Burgos cathedral.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Atapuerca
sculpture

photo taken November 7, 2013



This contemporary sculpture represents a Neanderthal who nearly one million years ago inhabited the Sierra de Atapuerca which is an
UNESCO site.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

On the floor of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona.

 

[VNwalking]

The restoration of the Cathedral has brought into view as many treasures as cherubs.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
location ??
photo taken ??



I have always liked this little sculpture of a shell. However I know neither where or when I shot it! The distinctive vegetation should be a clue. I first used it in a 2010 blog. Perhaps you have also shot this and can locate it?

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I have always liked this little sculpture of a shell. ... Perhaps you have also shot this and can locate it?

I tried using Google Lens. Surprisingly a large percentage of possibilities were of Our Ladies. I added camino as a search term and saw a number of nearly identical tiles inserted into different walls. The shell on the webpage below, though not the same one posted, is the closest match in my opinion.

Camino de Santiago – jacqueline vanacek

Posts about Camino de Santiago written by jackievanacek

etherealwoman.com

 

[davejsy]

Does this count - or does it need to be more oldie wordly?

 

[mspath]

I tried using Google Lens. Surprisingly a large percentage of possibilities were of Our Ladies. I added camino as a search term and saw a number of nearly identical tiles inserted into different walls. The shell on the webpage below, though not the same one posted, is the closest match in my opinion.

Camino de Santiago – jacqueline vanacek

Posts about Camino de Santiago written by jackievanacek

etherealwoman.com

Thanks for searching. I did use Google Lens also to no exact match. If I ever walk the CF again other than in my memory I'll try to find it.

 

[VNwalking]

I have always liked this little sculpture of a shell. However I know neither where or when I shot it! The distinctive vegetation should be a clue

Perhaps. The plant in the foreground looks like an oleander. So that narrows down the possibilities a bit - more likely in Galicia than elsewhere? Just thinking aloud.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Burgos
Cathedral de Santa Maria

photo taken February 24, 2007



The 13th c. Gothic tympanum of the south portal is splendid. See more here.

 

[VNwalking]

Another from the Oviedo Cathedral.
A mystery, these floating heads. Not who, so much as why there, and disembodied like that?

 

[lalaone]

Stunning photo! And fascinating questions. On this knowledgeable forum someone probably knows an answer. I do not, so I apologize for speculating, but do you think it could be an allusion to the Sudarium of Oviedo, the cloth said to cover Christ’s head in the tomb - but only the head?

 

[David Tallan]

The restoration of the Cathedral has brought into view as many treasures as cherubs.
View attachment 168902

Here's a very similar one that I took.

And since it is so similar, I throw in another closer to ground level.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
leaving La Virgen del Camino

photo taken November 13, 2011



This metal pilgrim pointed towards the two ways to leave the town near the junction of the main CF, which parallels the noisy route N120 direct to Villadangos, and the peaceful alternate camino going slightly SW to Villar de Mazarife.

 

[VNwalking]

On this knowledgeable forum someone probably knows an answer. I do not, so I apologize for speculating, but do you think it could be an allusion to the Sudarium of Oviedo, the cloth said to cover Christ’s head in the tomb - but only the head?

https://catedraldeoviedo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/calvario-de-la-camara-santa-catedral-de-oviedo.webp

 

[David Tallan]

Also from the Oviedo cathedral.

 

[mspath]

Vilar de Donas
Iglesia de San Salvador
door hardware

photo taken November 13, 2004



East of Palas de Rei the 12th c. Iglesia de San Salvador de Vilar de Donas was for centuries the official burial place of the Chevaliers de Santiago.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Villalcazar de Sirga
Iglesia de Santa María la Blanca
overdoor panel

photo taken March 1, 2007



The Virgin holding baby Jesus is the central figure in this panel. Santa María la Blanca, the masive and austere 12th-14th c. fortress-church, was originally built by/for the Knights Templer and later became a royal Marian sanctuary .

 

[Tia Valeria]

Vilar de Donas
Iglesia de San Salvador
door hardware

photo taken November 13, 2004

View attachment 169256

East of Palas de Rei the 12th c. Iglesia de San Salvador de Vilar de Donas was for centuries the official burial place of the Chevaliers de Santiago.

Also from Vilar de Donas - taken in May 2016 - including one of the wall paintings.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Villarmentero de Campos
wayside cross

photo taken November 6, 2011



This small sculpted cross was isolated within a pasture east of Villarmentero de Campos /west of Fromista.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
east of Santa Catalina de Somoza

photo taken March 10, 2007



For all of us who walk along the path this small hand sculpted heart might offer poignant encouragement.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Saint Jean Pied de Port

photo taken October 15, 2013



Another example of a small sculpture seen beneath your feet is this triangular marker set within the SJPdP pavement.

 

[David Tallan]

From today in Leon Cathedral.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Nájera
Plaza Santa Maria La Real,
doorway

photo taken February 18, 2007



Distinctive figurative escutcheons, akin to 3D armorial devices, are displayed above this doorway which now is the entrance to the Escuela de Patrimonio Historico de Najera.

 

[VNwalking]

Not sculptures per se.
But an indication that this fuente is seriously old. Fuente de Foncalada, Oviedo.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Alto de Perdon

photo taken October 3, 2004



Clouds enveloped these silhouetted sculptures as well as we 3 actual pilgrims; the view seemed surreal.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Granon
parish albergue San Juan Bautista
door knocker

photo taken October 28, 2010



Upon arrival seeing this sculpted door knocker adorned with shell, staff and gourd was always an aesthetic pleasure.

 

[VNwalking]

On the pavement near Lugo Cathedral.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Villalcázar de Sirga

photo taken November 6, 2011



This taciturn local fellow has a great seat for watching the passing crowd.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

This taciturn local fellow has a great seat for watching the passing crowd.

Definitely local and wishing the crowds weren't passing. The model is the innkeeper of the meson at his back.

 

[mspath]

Definitely local and wishing the crowds weren't passing. The model is the innkeeper of the meson at his back.

Thanks for your comment!

Earlier on February 9, 2008 I took this photo.



A French fellow with whom I walked relaxed in front of the resto, Mesón losTemplarios which appeared to be definitely upmarket. Entering we both were led to a table separate from the more prosperous diners, ie. truly below the salt. Nevertheless our copious/ well "watered" pilgrim menu was a delicious treat for only 11€ each!...Happy memories.

 

[David Tallan]

We saw this in Villafranca del Bierzo when we were starting this current Camino.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
west of Fromista

photo taken March 1, 2007



This stately sculpted column topped with a cross is a welcome contrast to the nearby low concrete bollards alining the CF path parallel to Palencia route P-980 west of Fromista/ east of Villalcazar de Sirga.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Agés

photo taken February 2, 2008



This small discrete tile adjoined the Casa Caracol/House of the Snail, which was the only pilgrim place open that cold afternoon.



After I entered the hospitalera, carefully drew and dated this special "stamp" in my Credential.

 

[David Tallan]

On the cathedral in Astorga

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
O Cebreiro
Santa Maria a Real

photo taken November 28, 2014



This small sculpture of the Virgin and Child is one of the many handsome embellishments within the historic church.

 

[David Tallan]

The church in Triacastela.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
leaving Villafranca del Bierzo

photo taken March 15, 2007



This pilgrim permanently stands guard on the medieval bridge crossing the rio Burbia

 

[mspath]

Camino Argones
Muruzábal
Iglesia de Santa María de Eunate

photo taken February 10, 2007



Old and new sculpted voussoir details surround this door.

 

[David Tallan]

From Samos:

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Puente La Reina - Gares
Pilgrim statue

photo taken February 11, 2007



Erected on the eastern edge of Puente La Reina - Gares for Anno Santo 1965 this iron Pilgrim had been crafted by Gerardo Brun in his antique family forge

 

[David Tallan]

Also from Samos:

 

[VNwalking]

Fortunately no longer there, a hideous sculpture at Monte do Gozo:

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
towards Viana

photo taken October 27, 2014



Walking off the path I stumbled upon this broken wayside cross, another poignant reminder that everything changes/omnia mutantur.

 

[David Tallan]

Yet another from Samos:

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
La Portela de Valcarce

photo taken March 15, 2007



The base of this statue marks the distance east to Roncesvalles, 559 kms, and west to Santiago, 150 kms.

 

[David Tallan]

Igrexa de Santiago de Barbadelo.

 

[mspath]

Valcarlos alternate route
photo taken October 11, 2011



This pathside cross was east of Arnéguy on the Valcarlos alternate route

 

[Mycroft]

Camino Frances
Roncesvalles monastery
Iglesia de Santa María
interior detail

photo taken February 7, 2007

View attachment 168240

Various symbols enrich this carved coffre encased on a side aisle near the main entrance of the Iglesia de Santa María.

Camino Invierno 2022

 

[David Tallan]

Collegiate Santa Maria del Sar, Santiago

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
towards Arzúa

photo taken December 1, 2011



From Melide west to Arzúa the CF crossed much woodland; tucked into the wayside greenery mementos such as this small cross could be seen.

 

[VNwalking]

Exiting Amaiur, you pass under this arch, with a sculpture of what looks like Jesus, but it's hard to tell.
7 years ago today, Camino Baztanes.

 

[David Tallan]

Igrexa de Santa Fiz de Solovio, Santiago de Compostela

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
leaving Foncebadon

photo taken November 19, 2011



Especially poignant In the bleak light of a cold November morning was this cross/memorial on the path west of Foncebadon near a junction with route LE -142

 

[David Tallan]

Portomarin.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
towards Palas de Rei

photo taken November 29, 2011



West of Gonzar many hamlets had wayside crosses and chapels.

 

[VNwalking]

At the Ermita de Santiago at the top of the alto crossing over the Pyrenees foothills. Camino Baztanes, 21 April 2017.

 

[David Tallan]

Samos, yet again.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Villalcazar de Sirga
Iglesia de Santa María la Blanca

photo taken November 6, 2011



Sculpted interconnected units form this massive historic door.

 

[David Tallan]

Astorga, ayunamiento.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
O Cebreiro
Santa Maria a Real

photo taken November 29, 2013



Hanging in a side chapel this painted crucifix is another of the many handsome details within the historic church.

 

[David Tallan]

Leon cathedral:

 

[mspath]

Camino Portuguese (Central)
south of Redondela
Roman milestone

photo taken December 14, 2011



Now amidst a camino path/back lanes mix near Capela de Santiaguño 6 km south of Redondela this Roman milestone once marked the Via XIX which connected Braga to Lugo via Santiago.

 

[David Tallan]

Iglesia de Santa Maria Salome, Santiago, July 18 2023

 

[VNwalking]

The Igrexa de San Miguel de Bacurin on the Primitivo.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Astorga
Bishop's Palace
tile detail

photo taken March 10, 2007



Distinctive tiles were used by Antonio Gaudi in some original spaces designed from 1889 in the Bishop's Palace, now a museum known as the Palacio de Gaudi.

 

[David Tallan]

Igrexa San Miguel de Bacurín, July 14, 2023

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Sahagun
Calle Antonio Nicolás, 40

photo taken March 3, 2007



The lattice-like wooden interior screen of this handsome window, one of a series in the south wall of the Santa Cruz albergue, exhibits a Mashrabiya influence.

 

[David Tallan]

Oviedo, July 4 2023

 

[VNwalking]

Igrexa San Miguel de Bacurín,

I'd love to know what those little figures signify. I fiund them fascinating and posted one photo of them already, but here's another.
View attachment 171387

 

[David Tallan]

I'd love to know what those little figures signify. I fiund them fascinating and posted one photo of them already, but here's another.
View attachment 171387

It's hard to tell because they are quite eroded. That looks to me like a parent and child.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Saint Jean Pied de Port
49 rue de La Citadelle

photo taken October 14, 2014



This sculpted door knocker adorns a private house on rue de La Citadelle, a street of pilgrim hope and memory.

 

[mspath]

Palmela, Portugal
coastal Rota Vicentina
Pousada/castle complex

photo taken December 29, 2011



This simple scallop shell is pressed into a column base in the church cloister within the vast castle complex; in the 12th c. the castle had been given to the Military Order of Santiago/the Templars and in 1423 became their headquarters.