Author: Thom

In the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada This wonderful statue sits within the saint’s sepulchre in the cathedral dedicated to him. You can read a version of the chicken story here. Although in 2016 I purchased a small version of this statue – it’s probably two inches tall, if that – I would dearly love to get a […]

In the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada The Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada is famous for having the only Vatican-approved chicken run in the world. Permission was granted by Rome in the twelfth century to house the descendants of the original legendary pair here. On October 6, 1350, Pope Clement VI granted an indulgence for the […]

In the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada As an aid to wash that horrible taste from yesterday’s photo out of your mouth, I present the original high altar and reredos from the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Sculpted by the Renaissance genius Damiàn Forment, it was completed in 1537. At some point in the 20th century, […]

In the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada Probably the most jarring and horrible thing I’ve seen in an old Spanish church may be found in the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. At some point, the magnificent Renaissance main altar and reredos were moved from the apse into the north transept and replaced with… with this. It’s […]

In the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada From yesterday’s portrait to today’s sarcophagus: here is the tomb and shrine of Santo Domingo de la Calzada in the cathedral named for him. Despite the rather foreboding metal cage around the shrine, it’s relatively easy to gain access and pray at the saint’s tomb, which several of us did. Date: […]

In the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada This is one of my favourite depictions of the saint, complete with the famous chickens (more about them in coming days). Bonus below: the description provided by the museum. Date: 10 April 2013Place: Santo Domingo de la Calzada (La Rioja, Spain)Today started: Santo Domingo de la Calzada (La Rioja, Spain)

In the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada Still in the museum, we find this glorious display of older thuribles, as well as some cruets and bells. While some are quite odd – is that a football at the top? – most are of a unity of style that I find pleasing. There are occasions in procession when the […]

In the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada Although labeled as a 17th century polychrome statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception from Valladolid, it’s difficult not to see the image of Our Lady of Guadeloupe. In any case, it’s a charming image of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Date: 10 April 2013Place: Santo Domingo de la Calzada (La […]

In the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada From (I believe) a medieval tomb, we have a pair of very medieval sphinxes. This carving is displayed in the museum, and it’s very much out of its proper context. Even so, it’s difficult not to see a medieval European take on an Egyptian or Persian fantasy. Date: 10 April 2013Place: […]

In the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada When we finally got to tour the cathedral and museum, this particular art stood out to me. It’s the middle panel of a Flemish triptych depicting the Annunciation. I was mesmerized by this piece, which was originally above a small side altar in the Cathedral. More from the Cathedral and museum […]