Agüero - Iglesia de Santiago

The Iglesia de Santiago stands surrounded by macchia at the end of a dust road about a kilometer southeast of Agüero. This isolated place is probably why it is named as well "Ermita de Santiago".
It is a very strange structure and I did not have much information about. At one time within the 12th century somebody had started to build a pretty large basilica (- in the middle of nowhere). Obviously money was not an issue, as gifted sculptors and experienced builders left their marks here. Then - some decades later, the building process stopped, the church was never completed.

The Adoration of the Magi.

No wonder, that the artist/workshop known as "Master of San Juan de la Peña" is even better known under the name of "Master of Agüero". I had seen his works in San Juan de la Peña and Sangüesa, but this well preserved, large tympanum is a masterpiece. The Virgin "equipped" with wide shoulders (compared to the Magi), seems to proudly accept the adoration of the child (nimbus), who blesses the visitors. Tired Joseph, holding a walking stick, seems to contemplate already about Egypt. A common Joseph-icon.
One of the Magi kisses young Jesus´ feet - just like in Sos del Rey Católico (80kms northwest). A crack runs through the tympanum. From Jospeh´s shoulder down to the Virgin´s shoes. Two fierce, devouring animals hold the lintel. They will be better seen on one of the following uploads.