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 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...

There are six capitals flanking the entrance. The quality of these carvings is just extraordenary. Though weathered many details are still visible. Hedda Finke compares them to ivory carvings!

This is a detail of the very left capital (see previous upload for an overview).