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 the "Harrowing of Hell".

In the time between Crucifixion and the Resurrection Christ (here without a nimbus!) descended into hell, bringing salvation to the righteous, who had died since the beginning (mostly symbolized by Adam and Eve). Here the giant mouth of the hell is open. Christ spears a beast with a cross, that reminds on a processional cross or a pilgrim's staff.

The corbels depict a flautist (left) and a musician with a vielle.