Jaca - Catedral de San Pedro

The Jaca Cathedral is one of the oldest of the Iberian peninsula, dating back to the 1070s. The building, that was altered many times later, was commissioned by King Sancho Ramírez, who established an episcopal seat in Jaca, then the capital of the Kingdom of Aragon.

The western portal of the cathedral has some extraordenary works of medieval art. The carvings are delicate, smooth and detailled. The very experienced artist is unknown, but art-historians gave him the name "Master of Jaca". Seen here is the tympanum. A very specific chrismon, flanked by two lions. Under the lions are a human and a snake (left) and quadruped (bear?dog?wolf?) and a basilisk. There are many inscriptions, that I could not read, but - I finally found this (spanish/english) website with very knowledgable information:

www.romanicoaragones.com/0-Jacetania/06-Catedral-ing-04a.htm