Sos del Rey Católico - Iglesia de San Esteban

Sos del Rey Católico is a quaint, historic town with a population of just over 600. Founded as "Sos" by Sancho I of Pamplona during the Reconquista in the early 10th century, the town changed its name to Sos del Rey Católico, after Ferdinand II of Aragon (aka "el Católico") was born here in 1452. The town is built on a mountaintop. You enter it by foot through the medieval gates, as the old walls, that surround the town still exist.

The building of the "Iglesia de San Esteban" (= Saint Steven) started already mid of the 11th century, financed by Estefania de Foix, young widow of Garcia Sanchez III of Pamplona. The church got enlarged and altered over the next centuries many times. A narthex with gothic vaults was added within the 16th century to protect this Romanesque portal from the 12th century against the weather. Just like in nearby Sangüesa (13kms northwest) statues flank the doors. There are three large ones on either side, and various small ones inbetween.

See the previous uploads for an overview. This is the a close up of the right sculpture. A person holds a book, depicting the crucification (with sun and moon). There are lots of graffiti here and at first I saw the letters as such, but they are not. It is an inscription. I think it reads (?)EST (E)va(n)geli(um), so the person holding it may be a priest - or even an evangelist. I am sure, that on the right side of the cross is a carved in graffito, depicting a standing pilgrim, resting on his staff.