Santo Domingo de la Calzada - Cathedral

The town was founded by the hermit Domingo de la Calzada (aka "Dominic of the Causeway"), who supported the pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela. Domingo not only built a hospital for the pilgrims, but as well a paved causeway and a bridge.

He was such a successfull architect, that he is still patron saint of the Spanish civil engineers. The first church, erected by him, got consecrated in 1106. The Romanesque apse and the ambulatory of that church have survived the times. Under the roofs of the apse are some great corbels and capitals.

The capital seen here is very weathered and damaged. It is a "Flight into Egypt", but it is a bit different from the common icon.

In the very right corner sits Joseph in a position, that can often be seen, when the Magi have arrived in Bethlehem. The Magi now have obviously left - and above Joseph is an angel.

Matthew 2:13

"When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

Further left Joseph, Mary and the child are already on their way.

Mathew 2:14

"So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt."