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 successful architect, that he is still patron saint of the Spanish civil engineers. The first church, erected by him, got consecrated in 1106. Since 1232 this was the Seat of the Bishops of the Calahorra-La Calzada and Logroño, so the structure got enlarged and modified.

The ambulatory is Romanesque and may (in parts) date back to the first church, built by Santo Domingo. Most of the elaborate carvings may date from the mid/end of the 12th century.

God the Father holds the son on his knees. The left eagle is lost, the right one holds the inscription "IN PRINCIPIO". These are the first words of the Latin Bible ("Vulgate" / "In principio creavit Deus caelum et terram"). To the right three (of the ten) Wise Virgins. The frieze above is populated with some Elders of the Apocalypse.