Album Gothic Portals and Tympana from Martin M. Miles

Aigueperse - Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:46:34 +0000

Notre-Dame is the present parish church of Aigueperse

The first construction work dates back to 1016. However, it only acquired its final form at the end of the 12th century, when the chancel and transept were built in their present form. It is considered the first Gothic building in the Auvergne. In 1253, it was elevated to the status of a collegiate church.

The church was completely restored in 1865. The nave and facade were rebuilt in 1880, replacing a nave that had been reconstructed in 1734 after its collapse in 1727. A new bell tower north of the transept replaced the one destroyed during the French Revolution.

The early Gothic side portal

Bayeux - Cathedrale

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 15:32:13 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The cathedral "Notre-Dame de Bayeux" is the seat of the Bishop of Bayeux. It was the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry, that by now can be seen in the "Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux".

As seen on the Bayeux Tapestry, it was here that William the Bastard forced Harold Godwinson to take the oath, the breaking of which led to the Norman conquest of England. So William got "the Conqueror".

The preceding carolingian cathedral burnt down in 1047 and soon after the construction of the church seen today started. The cathedral got consecrated in 1077 by power-hungry Odon de Bayeux, who was William´s half-brother, well known warrior and bishop here. Of course, William was present during the consecration, as then he was Duke of Normandy and King of England.

At that time the building was not completed, the construction site was seriously damaged twice by fire during the 12th century and, when the walls of the nave were built (1180) the style changed from Romanesque to Gothic.

The cathedral got pillaged by Huguenots during the Wars of Religions, during the French Cathedral this was a "Temple de la Raison". Renovation and restauration of the cathedral started mid 19th century under the direction of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.

Following the information given, the tympanum of the south transept, created around1260, depicts the history of Thomas Becket, which was a politcal statement in France

Bayeux - Cathedrale

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 19:58:32 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The cathedral "Notre-Dame de Bayeux" is the seat of the Bishop of Bayeux. It was the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry, that by now can be seen in the "Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux".

As seen on the Bayeux Tapestry, it was here that William the Bastard forced Harold Godwinson to take the oath, the breaking of which led to the Norman conquest of England. So William got "the Conqueror".

The preceding carolingian cathedral burnt down in 1047 and soon after the construction of the church seen today started. The cathedral got consecrated in 1077 by power-hungry Odon de Bayeux, who was William´s half-brother, well known warrior and bishop here. Of course, William was present during the consecration, as then he was Duke of Normandy and King of England.

At that time the building was not completed, the construction site was seriously damaged twice by fire during the 12th century and, when the walls of the nave were built (1180) the style changed from Romanesque to Gothic.

The cathedral got pillaged by Huguenots during the Wars of Religions, during the French Cathedral this was a "Temple de la Raison". Renovation and restauration of the cathedral started mid 19th century under the direction of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.

The Gothic tympanum depicts the martyrdom of Christ, starting with the Last Supper

Bayeux - Cathedrale

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 19:52:48 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Amiens - Cathedral

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 14:16:40 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288.

Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³

The west front was built from 1220 to 1236, actually the building process started here. There are three vast deep porches, capped with the gallery of twenty-two over lifesize kings. During a cleaning process in the 1990s, it was discovered that the facade was originally painted in multiple colours. The south tower was completed in 1366, the north (higher) one in 1406.

The tympanum depicts the Last Judgment.

The graves open, Archangel Michael holds the scales of souls, on the left the well-dressed souls are led to heaven, on the right they go to hell.

Valencia - Catedral de Santa María

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 13:54:51 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

According to the Roman historian Titus Livius "Valentia" was founded by Consul Decimus Iunius Brutus Callaicus in the 4th century BC,

A century later "Valentia Edetanorum" became one of the first Hispanic cities to become a Roman colony.

The city made rapid progress after the Arab conquest in 711, reaching 15,000 inhabitants in the Caliphate of Córdoba. The Amirids and the Dhun Nunids ruled in “Balansiya”. In 1094, El Cid, a Castilian noble, conquered the city. The conquest was not carried out on behalf of one of the Christian kingdoms, but on the Cid's own account, who proclaimed himself "Señor de Valencia" and thus created a kind of private kingdom. He was able to defend the city against several Almoravid attacks, and after his death in 1099, his widow Jimena managed to hold Valencia until 1102, when it fell to the Almoravids, and a little later to the Almohads.

After the victory of the united Christian armies over the Almohads in the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa (1212), Moorish Spain fell apart again into individual small kingdoms, including a Taifa from Valencia.

It was finally conquered in 1238 by Jaime I de Aragón (aka "el Conquistador"), after a five-month siege.

In the 15th century, the city grew rapidly and developed into one of the largest Mediterranean ports and an important trade and financial center. At the beginning of the 15th century the city had around 40,000.
There was once a Roman temple on the site of the church, which was converted into a Visigothic church after the Muslim conquest and converted into a mosque. After the reconquest in 1237, it became a church again.

The construction of the current Gothic-style building began in 1262 and was completed in the 15th century. However, its construction went on for centuries, so there is a mixture of Renaissance, Baroque, and Classicism styles.

The North-western portal "Puerta de los Apostoles".

Toledo - Catedral de Toledo

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 21:28:39 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

In 192 BC, the Romans conquered the area and founded the outpost Toletum. Due to its iron ore deposits, Toledo developed into an important settlement. Since the first barbarian invasions, the ancient walls were reinforced. In 411 the Alans and later the Visigoths conquered the city. Toledo was the capital of the Visigoths' empire from about 531 to 711.

The Moors conquered the place in 712. Toledo experienced its heyday during the period of Moorish rule as Ṭulayṭula during the Caliphate of Córdoba until its conquest by Alfonso VI in 1085, after a four-year siege. In 1088, only a few years after the conquest, Archbishop Bernard of Toledo obtained confirmation from Pope Urban II that Toledo should hold the "primatus in totis Hispaniarum regnis" (primacy in all the kingdoms of the Iberian dominions). The Archbishop of Toledo is still today the Primate of the Catholic Church of Spain.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Toledo school of translators translated ancient philosophical writings (Plato, Aristotle) that had been translated from Greek into Arabic, but also genuinely Arabic writings from the fields of astronomy, mathematics, Islamic religion and theology into Latin.

After the conquest by Alfonso VI, Toledo became the residence of the Kingdom of Castile in 1087 and remained the capital of Spain until 1561.

The cathedral was founded in 1226. Ferdinand III (aka “the Saint”) laid the first stone in 1227 after he had the old Visigothic church demolished. This had previously been converted into a mosque by the Moors and they wanted to radically remove this influence. The first architect, named “Master Martín” is mentioned in 1227. He either was French or had worked there before, as this building was clearly modeled after the Bourges Cathedral. It is widely believed to be one of the most important Gothic churches in Spain.

It measures 120 meters in length by 59 meters in width and 44.5 meters high. It consists of five naves with a transept and double ambulatory.

The Last Judgement.

In the center, where the graves open and the bodies step out, there is still hope, but on the bottom, the poor souls are just stuffed into the hell mouth.,

Toledo - Catedral de Toledo

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 18:30:26 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

In 192 BC, the Romans conquered the area and founded the outpost Toletum. Due to its iron ore deposits, Toledo developed into an important settlement. Since the first barbarian invasions, the ancient walls were reinforced. In 411 the Alans and later the Visigoths conquered the city. Toledo was the capital of the Visigoths' empire from about 531 to 711.

The Moors conquered the place in 712. Toledo experienced its heyday during the period of Moorish rule as Ṭulayṭula during the Caliphate of Córdoba until its conquest by Alfonso VI in 1085, after a four-year siege. In 1088, only a few years after the conquest, Archbishop Bernard of Toledo obtained confirmation from Pope Urban II that Toledo should hold the "primatus in totis Hispaniarum regnis" (primacy in all the kingdoms of the Iberian dominions). The Archbishop of Toledo is still today the Primate of the Catholic Church of Spain.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Toledo school of translators translated ancient philosophical writings (Plato, Aristotle) that had been translated from Greek into Arabic, but also genuinely Arabic writings from the fields of astronomy, mathematics, Islamic religion and theology into Latin.

After the conquest by Alfonso VI, Toledo became the residence of the Kingdom of Castile in 1087 and remained the capital of Spain until 1561.

The cathedral was founded in 1226. Ferdinand III (aka “the Saint”) laid the first stone in 1227 after he had the old Visigothic church demolished. This had previously been converted into a mosque by the Moors and they wanted to radically remove this influence. The first architect, named “Master Martín” is mentioned in 1227. He either was French or had worked there before, as this building was clearly modeled after the Bourges Cathedral. It is widely believed to be one of the most important Gothic churches in Spain.

It measures 120 meters in length by 59 meters in width and 44.5 meters high. It consists of five naves with a transept and double ambulatory.

The story, the tympanum tells, starts on the left side of the bottom row:

Annunciation - Visitation - Nativity - Annunciation to the Shepherds - The Magi leaving Herod - The Adoration of the Magi - The Dream of the Magi - Massacre of the Innocents

It continues from right to left, starting with the Flight into Egypt

Toledo - Catedral de Toledo

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 15:28:36 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Ávila - Catedral de Cristo Salvador

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 19:27:22 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Under the Visigoths, Ávila was one of the most important cities in the kingdom due to its proximity to the capital Toledo. From the 8th to the 11th centuries, Ávila was Moorish. The situation in the contested borderland between the Muslim and Christian worlds prevented prosperity, which only began in the 15th century when the fighting moved further south. The city experienced its heyday in the 16th century. The plague, the expulsion of the Moriscos (baptized Moors), and the emigration of many people to America caused Ávila's gradual decline, from which the city has only slowly recovered since the 19th century. Today the population is around 60,000.

The “Catedral de Ávila” was planned as a cathedral fortress. The choir is fully integrated into the aalls and its apse was one of the towers of the city wall.

The building, a mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles, dates back to the 12th century and is considered one of the first Gothic cathedrals in Spain. The client was probably Alfonso VIII. The first draft comes from Master Girald Fruchel (+ 1192). The cathedral shows French influences and great resemblances to the Abbey Church of St Denis,

Initially created in the choir with a double ambulatory. The nave was only completed in the 14th century. Over time it became clear that the proportions of the central nave and the low side aisles caused structural problems. In the 18th century, support arches were added and the crossing pillars were strengthened.

The main portal

Ávila - Catedral de Cristo Salvador

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 16:15:39 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Salamanca - Catedral Nueva

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 21:59:22 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Salamanca is a "real city" with a population of more than 140.000 inhabitants.

Under Roman and Visigothic rule called “Helmantica,” the city developed into an important trading center. In the 8th century, Salamanca was taken by the Moors, but in 939 it became Christian again as a result of the Battle of Simancas. Salamanca became a border town to the Islamic south of the Iberian Peninsula and was subsequently exposed to constant attacks, which resulted in depopulation and only after the conquest of Toledo by Alfonso VI. León's rule ended in 1085. In 1102 the period of repopulation began. The Christian new settlers rose against Castile-León in 1162 and called on Portugal for help in 1163, which occupied Salamanca for two years.

Salamanca experienced its heyday in the 16th century. In 1524, the construction of the church and monastery of San Esteban began and at the same time, the new cathedral was built.
The "New Cathedral" ("Catedral Nueva") is, together with the "Old Cathedral" ("Catedral Vieja"), one of the two cathedrals of Salamanca. It is the seat of the Diocese of Salamanca.

Following the Reconquista, the Salamanca grew in population and prosperity. The old Romanesque cathedral no longer met the size and representational demands of the bishop, university, and city. In 1513, construction began on the ew bishop's church, which was designed to have enormous dimensions. The northern transept arm of the old church was demolished for this purpose. The ceremonial consecration of the new cathedral did not take place until 1733 after a long, eventful construction history. During the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, the central dome and the bell tower collapsed. The reconstruction was completed by 1762.

Toro - Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 22:19:20 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The town of Toro lies on a plateau above the Duero River about 40 km east of Zamora.

In medieval times Toro had some importance. Ferdinand III of Castile was crowned king in Toro in 1230, his wife Elisabeth of Swabia died here five years later.

The large collegiate church Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor, whose construction began in 1160 under Alfonso VII, but lasted possibly even until the end of the 13th century. During the reign of the Catholic Monarchs, it was elevated to a collegiate church.
The architectural highlight of the church building is the two-story crossing tower (“cimborrio”) with its sixteen-sided floor plan, with four sides being particularly highlighted by round corner towers, which serve both for architectural decoration and for static stabilization. While the corner towers in the lower part hardly have any architectural decoration, the two levels of the central tower with their windows - accompanied by small columns and ending in oriental-looking multi-aisle arches - are designed in exactly the same way.

The west portal ("Portada de la Majestad") is an important achievement of Spanish Gothic architecture. The portal itself is dated to the time of Sancho IV (1258-1295), the colored version comes from the 18th century.

In the stone lintel there is a depiction of the death and ascension of Mary. The tympanum shows the scene of her sitting at God's right hand and being crowned. The scene in the tympanum is accompanied by two kneeling angels with candlesticks and two flying angels with censers.

Toro - Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 22:10:31 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The town of Toro lies on a plateau above the Duero River about 40 km east of Zamora.

In medieval times Toro had some importance. Ferdinand III of Castile was crowned king in Toro in 1230, his wife Elisabeth of Swabia died here five years later.

The large collegiate church Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor, whose construction began in 1160 under Alfonso VII, but lasted possibly even until the end of the 13th century. During the reign of the Catholic Monarchs, it was elevated to a collegiate church.
The architectural highlight of the church building is the two-story crossing tower (“cimborrio”) with its sixteen-sided floor plan, with four sides being particularly highlighted by round corner towers, which serve both for architectural decoration and for static stabilization. While the corner towers in the lower part hardly have any architectural decoration, the two levels of the central tower with their windows - accompanied by small columns and ending in oriental-looking multi-aisle arches - are designed in exactly the same way.

The west portal ("Portada de la Majestad") is an important achievement of Spanish Gothic architecture. The portal itself is dated to the time of Sancho IV (1258-1295), the colored version comes from the 18th century. In the center is Mary, who already appears at the trumeau pillar of the portal with the Christ on her arm.
In the portal jamb are depictions of Old Testament kings (David and Solomon) and prophets. In the stone lintel above there is a depiction of the death and ascension of Mary. The tympanum shows the scene of her sitting at God's right hand and being crowned. The scene in the tympanum is accompanied by two kneeling angels with candlesticks and two flying angels with censers. In the six archivolts above are a total of 78 individual figures.

Valladolid - Iglesia de San Pablo

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 14:35:32 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

In the 8th century, Arab-Moorish armies advanced into the north of the Iberian Peninsula, but as early as the 10th century the area was temporarily reconquered by the Christians (Reconquista). In the late 11th century, Count Pedro Ansúrez made the largely depopulated city his residence, expanded it, and promoted its repopulation (repoblación), which is why he is often considered the actual founder of the city. The University of Valladolid was founded in 1241 by Alfonso VIII of Castille. It is one of the oldest universities in the world.

In the 15th century, it became the capital of the Kingdom of Castile until Philip II moved the center of power to the newly built monastery residence Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial near Madrid in 1561. In 1561 most of the city burned down but was rebuilt under Philip II.

The Convent of St. Paul was founded in 1276 by Violante of Aragon, daughter of Queen Violante of Hungary. At the same time, a collegiate church was built.

Between 1445 and 1468, Cardinal Juan de Torquemada, who had attended school in the monastery, commissioned a larger church to be built. His successors continued it until its completion in 1616.

The middle part of the facade was designed by Simón de Colonia († 1511) and is considered a masterpiece of the late Gothic Isabelline style.

Valladolid - Colegio de San Gregorio

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 13:46:13 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

In the 8th century, Arab-Moorish armies advanced into the north of the Iberian Peninsula, but as early as the 10th century the area was temporarily reconquered by the Christians (Reconquista). In the late 11th century, Count Pedro Ansúrez made the largely depopulated city his residence, expanded it, and promoted its repopulation (repoblación), which is why he is often considered the actual founder of the city. The University of Valladolid was founded in 1241 by Alfonso VIII of Castille. It is one of the oldest universities in the world.

In the 15th century, it became the capital of the Kingdom of Castile until Philip II moved the center of power to the newly built monastery residence Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial near Madrid in 1561. In 1561 most of the city burned down but was rebuilt under Philip II.
The Colegio de San Gregorio was formerly a university and now houses the “Museo Nacional de Escultura”. This building is one of the best examples of the architectural Gothic style known as Isabelline.
The University of Valladolid was founded in the 13th century by Alfonso X ("the Wise"). This also meant that over time so-called "colegios" /colleges emerged alongside or in connection with the university.

So this colegio was founded as a teaching institution. As a theological college for Dominican monks. With papal approval, work began in 1488. The construction of the college was probably completed in 1496. The college accommodated around 20 students at a time.

The main facade is spectacular. By its stylistic features, it sets regarding the workshop of Gil de Siloé, a Flemish-origin artist, who was at that time in Burgos dealing with the royal sepulchers of the Miraflores Charterhouse.

The portal´s door is guarded by a group of hairy wild men. These scaring guys are really woodwoses.

Valladolid - Colegio de San Gregorio

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 10:16:43 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

In the 8th century, Arab-Moorish armies advanced into the north of the Iberian Peninsula, but as early as the 10th century the area was temporarily reconquered by the Christians (Reconquista). In the late 11th century, Count Pedro Ansúrez made the largely depopulated city his residence, expanded it, and promoted its repopulation (repoblación), which is why he is often considered the actual founder of the city. The University of Valladolid was founded in 1241 by Alfonso VIII of Castille. It is one of the oldest universities in the world.

In the 15th century, it became the capital of the Kingdom of Castile until Philip II moved the center of power to the newly built monastery residence Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial near Madrid in 1561. In 1561 most of the city burned down but was rebuilt under Philip II.
The Colegio de San Gregorio was formerly a university and now houses the “Museo Nacional de Escultura”. This building is one of the best examples of the architectural Gothic style known as Isabelline.
The University of Valladolid was founded in the 13th century by Alfonso X ("the Wise"). This also meant that over time so-called "colegios" /colleges emerged alongside or in connection with the university.

So this colegio was founded as a teaching institution. As a theological college for Dominican monks. With papal approval, work began in 1488. The construction of the college was probably completed in 1496. The college accommodated around 20 students at a time.

The main facade is spectacular. By its stylistic features, it sets regarding the workshop of Gil de Siloé, a Flemish-origin artist, who was at that time in Burgos dealing with the royal sepulchers of the Miraflores Charterhouse.

The lower part of the facade

Valladolid - Colegio de San Gregorio

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 22:21:02 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

In the 8th century, Arab-Moorish armies advanced into the north of the Iberian Peninsula, but as early as the 10th century the area was temporarily reconquered by the Christians (Reconquista). In the late 11th century, Count Pedro Ansúrez made the largely depopulated city his residence, expanded it, and promoted its repopulation (repoblación), which is why he is often considered the actual founder of the city. The University of Valladolid was founded in 1241 by Alfonso VIII of Castille. It is one of the oldest universities in the world.

In the 15th century, it became the capital of the Kingdom of Castile until Philip II moved the center of power to the newly built monastery residence Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial near Madrid in 1561. In 1561 most of the city burned down but was rebuilt under Philip II.
The Colegio de San Gregorio was formerly a university and now houses the “Museo Nacional de Escultura”. This building is one of the best examples of the architectural Gothic style known as Isabelline.
The University of Valladolid was founded in the 13th century by Alfonso X ("the Wise"). This also meant that over time so-called "colegios" /colleges emerged alongside or in connection with the university.

So this colegio was founded as a teaching institution. As a theological college for Dominican monks. With papal approval, work began in 1488. The construction of the college was probably completed in 1496. The college accommodated around 20 students at a time.

The main facade is spectacular. By its stylistic features, it sets regarding the workshop of Gil de Siloé, a Flemish-origin artist, who was at that time in Burgos dealing with the royal sepulchers of the Miraflores Charterhouse.

The upper part of the facade

Valladolid - Colegio de San Gregorio

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 22:11:02 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

In the 8th century, Arab-Moorish armies advanced into the north of the Iberian Peninsula, but as early as the 10th century the area was temporarily reconquered by the Christians (Reconquista). In the late 11th century, Count Pedro Ansúrez made the largely depopulated city his residence, expanded it, and promoted its repopulation (repoblación), which is why he is often considered the actual founder of the city. The University of Valladolid was founded in 1241 by Alfonso VIII of Castille. It is one of the oldest universities in the world.

In the 15th century, it became the capital of the Kingdom of Castile until Philip II moved the center of power to the newly built monastery residence Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial near Madrid in 1561. In 1561 most of the city burned down but was rebuilt under Philip II.
The Colegio de San Gregorio was formerly a university and now houses the “Museo Nacional de Escultura”. This building is one of the best examples of the architectural Gothic style known as Isabelline.
The University of Valladolid was founded in the 13th century by Alfonso X ("the Wise"). This also meant that over time so-called "colegios" /colleges emerged alongside or in connection with the university.

So this colegio was founded as a teaching institution. As a theological college for Dominican monks. With papal approval, work began in 1488. The construction of the college was probably completed in 1496. The college accommodated around 20 students at a time.

The main facade is spectacular. By its stylistic features, it sets regarding the workshop of Gil de Siloé, a Flemish-origin artist, who was at that time in Burgos dealing with the royal sepulchers of the Miraflores Charterhouse.

Aranda de Duero - Santa María la Real

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 12:30:15 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Aranda de Duero, a city with a population of about 33,000, is the capital of the Ribera del Duero wine region.

The church was built on a previous church in the Romanesque style. It is believed that work began in 1439. Since a council was held in the small church of San Juan in 1473, it is assumed that the church of Santa María was not yet completed. It was completed in 1503, but the Gothic facade from the 16th century was still missing.

The impressive Gothic facade was built by, among others, Simón de Colonia and completed in 1615 by his son Francisco de Colonia. It shows the wealth and importance that the city had back then.

The tympanum shows the Nativity / birth of Christ on the left side and the Epiphany/Adoration of the Magi on the right side. It's faded, but still polychrome.