A Strange Astronaut in a Cathedral
by Francois Hagnere on 29/12/09 at 11:00 am
Salamanca, Spain, is a magnificent historical city with many works of art from various periods. But did you know one could really see an astronaut at the cathedral?
Salamanca, Spain, used to be an Iberian colony subdued by Hannibal in 217 BC. The city has kept a bridge from the Roman period and had a long stirring history. Founded in 1218, its university became one of the most prestigious of Spain. It occupies a building whose splendid façade is one of the numerous Plateresque masterpieces that decorate this magnificent town. The Baroque period gave the city its marvellous Plazza Mayor. Salamanca also has two cathedrals, one Romanesque and another Gothic.
An unusual fact is that the new cathedral “Catedral Nueva” whose works began in 1513 does not replace the old one “Catedral Vieja” but was simply built on the side. It allies the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles and offers a delicately carved décor on its West façade. This latter really is characteristic of the late Gothic. One can enter the old cathedral, a transition edifice of the XIIth century, through the South aisle of the new one. The sumptuous reredos in the apse was painted by Nicolas Florentino and comprises 53 panels framing a XIIth century statue with Limoges enamels. This is the Virgen de la Vega, patroness of Salamanca. The Doomsday on the vault is also by Florentino. The Capilla de Anay (XIIIth century) houses the alabaster tomb (XVth century) of bishop Diego de Anaya.
The “Puerta de Ramos” (Palm Portal) on the North side of the new cathedral was restored in 1993 whilst Salamanca proposed an exhibition called “The Ages of Man”. A very strange astronaut was sculpted here among the foliage by Miguel Romero, this is a wink at our Age. Archives show that statues of Apostles, deteriorated with time, used to decorate this portal of the cathedral. A dragon eating ice cream, a lynx, a bull, a crab, a stork and a hare can also be seen. The last three animals representing water, heaven and earth. The association “Ciudadanos por la Defensa del Patrimonio” denounces these sculptures that do not respect the original ones.
The astronaut (1993) at Salamanca new cathedral
http://s3.amazonaws.com/readers/2009/12/29/astronautsalamancacathedral_1.jpg
![[994499365_2873a78fc8_o.jpg]](http://s3.amazonaws.com/readers/2009/12/29/9944993652873a78fc8o_1.jpg)
http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R3QZikKUeKI/AAAAAAAACBc/P8SmPZFRY4E/s1600-h/994499365_2873a78fc8_o.jpg
![[994498559_1249961b53_o.jpg]](http://s3.amazonaws.com/readers/2009/12/29/9944985591249961b53o_1.jpg)
http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R3QZPEKUeII/AAAAAAAACBM/zjWgkN3s3RI/s1600-h/994498559_1249961b53_o.jpg
The Puerta de Ramos where the astronaut can be seen.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/readers/2009/12/29/puertaderamosdelacatedralnuevadesalamanca_1.jpg
New cathedral in Salamanca.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/readers/2009/12/29/salamancacatedralnueva28vistaprincipal29_1.jpg
The cupola of the new Cathedral in Salamanca.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/readers/2009/12/29/cc3bapulacatedralnuevadesalamanca_1.jpg
The cathedral and old Roman bridge.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/readers/2009/12/29/vistadelacatedraldesalamanca_1.jpg
The West façade characteristic of the Late Gothic Style.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/readers/2009/12/29/arcosenfachadaprincipaldelacatedralnuevadesalamanca_1.jpg
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22 Comments
Glynis Smy
Dec 29th, 2009
Interesting, it looks a little out of context with the others though. Good article.
PhoenixRox
Dec 29th, 2009
The astronaut image shocked me! Once I read the article I felt a little better.LOL. Loved it!
Sonora
Dec 29th, 2009
Wow, I agree with Glynis: it does not look like it belongs! Great article.
thestickman
Dec 29th, 2009
…very Erich von Däniken this vision…
albert1jemi
Dec 29th, 2009
interesting information thnx for sharing
AlmaG
Dec 29th, 2009
Haha! that’s so strange and funny but now I see… it represents the age of man or modern times. Made sense since during the olden times they depict men as that riding a horse (the Romans) now they depict man as astronauts (the Americans) LOL! Great and interesting facts Francois.
Greg Seltz
Dec 30th, 2009
That’s pretty odd…lol
Love Doc
Dec 30th, 2009
Excellent historical information. Salamanca is very nice. Hopefully, one day I can visit. Many universities in Florida and even law schools have a program where students can spend week taking credit courses. Not only is this educational, but fun as well. It’s great meeting people around the world.As for the astronaut, I don’t think it is odd. I think it is very creative.
Francois Hagnere
Dec 30th, 2009
Many thanks my friends for your comments. Salamanca really is beautiful, and I agree with Alma and Sunshine, why not an astronaut, I think it is very interesting and so unusual that I wanted to share with you all. Please continue to give me your impressions.
And Happy New Year to all.
Goodselfme
Dec 30th, 2009
Very well composed with pictures of majestic proportion too. Thank you for your time well spent on this subject to share with me.
Ruby Hawk
Dec 30th, 2009
I wonder why they were allowed to do that. It just ruins it for me. Although your pictures are beautiful. I was surprised when I saw the astronauts.
lillyrose
Jan 1st, 2010
Not sure why he did that, it seems way out of place. I really admire the work of sculptures though, they create some very beautiful images. Great article. x
johnnydod
Jan 1st, 2010
Nice piece of History and I loved the pics
cutedrishti8
Jan 1st, 2010
Very well researched and very well presented..
Lucas Dié
Jan 1st, 2010
LOL, though the dragon is my favourite …
deep blue
Jan 6th, 2010
Another compelling and well researched post my friend. Well done.
Starpisces
Jan 11th, 2010
Thought it’s strange, but it’s cute, lovely…
Wow!
Rana Sinha
Jan 12th, 2010
Very interesting. Astronaut – why not. The Mayans had lots of astronauts in their temples in Pakal.
James DeVere
Jan 26th, 2010
Magnifique article; particulièrement apprécié votre en-tête suivi paragraphes profondeur par cette sculpture incroyablement drôle. Merci
Wonderful article; especially enjoyed your in-depth leading paragraphs followed by that incredibly funny sculpture. Thanks
RS Wing
Jan 29th, 2010
The cathedral itself is spectacular. The astronaut is a cool sculpture and addition, but I’m sure there are some that may find it to be out of tradition. I do find it to be a bit odd but beautiful work. Interesting article for sure. Very unique indeed.
Francois Hagnere
Feb 19th, 2010
Thank you for your comments. They are highly appreciated.
Very best wishes to all.
darren15my
Mar 20th, 2010
And that is interesting.. would love to see it by myself…
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