La Milla Románica
This pass gives holders admission to eight historic Romanesque churches that are the city’s architectural highlight. If you only have time for one, make it the remarkably beautiful Santa María Magdalena. Begun in 1157 and completed early in the 13th century, it is a simple parish church of its era. But what sets the Magdalena apart are its remarkable stone carvings. At the main door are four pairs of columns, their capitals embellished with dragons that have both human and animal heads. The exquisite carvings continue inside—notice the laughing heads on the moldings over the arches and the magnificent tomb of a woman watched over by a pair of carved angels. The headquarters for the pass is the looming Romanesque hulk of San Andrés, close to the tourist office. It is no longer an active church, but it currently functions as the city’s Holy Week museum. The massive pasos represent the last days of Christ with life-size statues and, frankly, gory details. Some of the sculptures date from the late 17th century. The largest pasos require 44 men to carry them on their shoulders for the night-long processions.
This pass gives holders admission to eight historic Romanesque churches that are the city’s architectural highlight. If you only have time for one, make it the remarkably beautiful Santa María Magdalena. Begun in 1157 and completed early in the 13th century, it is a simple parish church of its era. But what sets the Magdalena apart are its remarkable stone carvings. At the main door are four pairs of columns, their capitals embellished with dragons that have both human and animal heads. The exquisite carvings continue inside—notice the laughing heads on the moldings over the arches and the magnificent tomb of a woman watched over by a pair of carved angels. The headquarters for the pass is the looming Romanesque hulk of San Andrés, close to the tourist office. It is no longer an active church, but it currently functions as the city’s Holy Week museum. The massive pasos represent the last days of Christ with life-size statues and, frankly, gory details. Some of the sculptures date from the late 17th century. The largest pasos require 44 men to carry them on their shoulders for the night-long processions.
Details
Bookstore
Available as paperback
and as e-book.
