Discover Ourense XXXIX: The Door of Paradise

Postcard 56 shows one of the chief artworks in Ourense's Cathedral, the Door of Paradise (Pórtico do Paraíso). 

This 13th-century pórtico was built by students of Master Mateo, best known for his Pórtico da Gloria in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Its three arches are supported by columns with a central mullion. The apostle St James holds a sword reminiscent of his alleged miraculous participation in the legendary Battle of Clavijo.

Other decorations include Christ being tempted by the devil, a medallion of God the Father and a tabernacle presenting St Martin tearing his cloak. 

The archivolts of the central arch bear the figures of the 24 elders from the Book of Revelation. The columns themselves are sculpted with apostles and prophets while the capitals present a variety of figures including Christ's temptations in the desert, centaurs fighting mermaids, dragons and harpies with frightening faces who were said to have brought the plague.

An outing to Saint Martin's Cathedral

Saint Martin's Cathedral is one of the main landmarks in Ourense and, as you may well remember, it has been featured in postcards 10 (Germany), 23 (Belgium) and 35 (Sweden). This is why we have planned an outing with our Very Young Postcrossers to appreciate the beauty of this magnificent building.

To do so, we’ve had the inestimable help of Rocío Naveira, our language therapist, and Carlos Vélez, one of the coaches of the school’s basketball team.

Here’s the itinerary we have followed: 

On our way to the cathedral, we stopped at the Praza Maior in order to contemplate its stunning buildings and arcades.

Once at the cathedral, we were told that it is named after Ourense’s patron saint, Saint Martin, and we were taken on a guided tour to discover the treasures of this landmark, including its Main altar…  

                          

its stained glass windows…

its impressive Portal of Paradise…

Christ’s Chapel

and its huge bells.

Thank you to the Diocese of Ourense for giving us the opportunity to explore this wonderful monument!

Postcard 23 has been sent to Ghent (Belgium)

One of our ESO 4 students, Dani, has sent a postcard to Ghent, a Belgian city we know very well because we received a lovely postcard from here a few days ago!

Dani has chosen a postcard designed by one of his friends, Rubén Sotelo, which was chosen as one of the finalists in our Ourense-themed illustration contest.

Visit our section DISCOVER OURENSE to know more about Saint Martin's Cathedral. Remember you can find detailed information about Ghent in EXPLORING PLACES.

Thank you, guys!

Discover Ourense XXIII: Self-made postcard of Saint Martin's Cathedral

The postcard Dani sent to Ghent, in Belgium, featured one of the symbols in our town: its cathedral. This is a special postcard because it was drawn by Rubén Sotelo, one of our students.

Orense Catedral de Carmen Baena para Arquivoltas

The history of the Cathedral is tied to the diocese of Ourense, whose origins are lost in time, although names are now known of Bishops from as far back as the 6th century. the cathedral is Transition Romanesque and its layout is that of a church of pilgrimage, with influences from the church of Santiago de Compostela and similarities, by chance or not, to that of the cathedral and the Church of San Vicente of Ávila.

If you want to know more about Ourense Cathedral, read one of our previous posts HERE.

Postcard 10 is on its way to Panketal (Germany)!

We have already sent our 10th postcard! Its destination is Panketal, a town near Berlin, 1967 kilometres away!

This time, an ESO 2 student, Adrián Gil, has written a postcard that features Ourense's Cathedral. Hope Michaela likes it!

If you want to read about Ourense's Cathedral, go to DISCOVER OUR HOMETOWN. You can also find interesting information about Panketal in our section EXPLORING PLACES. Thank you, Adrián!

Discover Ourense X: Saint Martin's Cathedral

The postcard Adrian sent to Michaela from Panketal in Germany featured one of the symbols in our town: its cathedral.

Our cathedral was named after Ourense's patron saint, Saint Martin.

Catedral Ourense. Galicia Guide

Retablo Catedral San Martín. Domuspucelae

The Christ's Chapel (Capilla del Cristo Crucificado) was added in 1567 by Bishop San Francisco Triccio. It contains an image of Christ, which was brought in 1330 from a small church on Cape Finisterre. Christ's Chapel originally presented the figure of Christ rather than today's altar bearing Our Lady of the Pillar. The chapel owes its origin to Bishop Vasco Pérez Mariño who wished to be buried as close as possible to the figure of Christ. The chapel is decorated in flamboyant Baroque style with a Renaissance screen by Juan Bautista Celma and a canopy by Domingo de Andrade while other decorations are the work of Francisco de Castro Canseco.

Santo Cristo

The Portal of Paradise is sculptured and enriched with figures of angels and saints, while the antique cloisters were erected in 1204 by Bishop Ederonio. The 13th-century Portico of Paradise (Pórtico del Paraíso) was built by students of Master Mateo who is best known for his Pórtico de la Gloria in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Its three arches are supported by slender columns with a central mullion. The apostle St James or Santiago holds a sword reminiscent of his alleged miraculous participation in the legendary Battle of Clavijo. The original 13th-century figure was replaced in the 19th century.

Pórtico do Paraíso