Artaiz - San Martin

This church, dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, was a real surprise to me. The single nave structure was probably erected within the 12th century. It was built in a "walking distance" off the pilgrim routes (like "San Pedro de Echano"), as the hamlet Artaiz is just about 10kms north of the "Camino Aragonés". San Martin will have been for sure a stopover for pilgrims, who had visited the tomb of Saint Martin of Tours, following the "Via Turonensis".

The masterly composed and carved portal of Saint Martin is extraordinary in the specific iconography, that in parts may reflect the relations to the Islamic neighbours (Reconquista). Here is a script by German arthistorian Hedda Finke about this subject.

art.unt.edu/medieval-symposium/presenter.php?year=2009&am...

Between the seven corbels under the portal´s roof are six reliefs.

This one depicts a situation, that still is part of the liturgy of the Mass. This is probably the consecration, the priest has raised his arms, while the chalice is placed in the center of the altar. The scene is flanked by two altar-boys. One holds the bible, while his smaller collegue swings the censer.

The Buddha-like priest faces the parish, what was actually introduced officialy by the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).

The corbels have the dancer again (left) and a musician playing a (partly lost) flute.