Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: lion-rider

A settlement may have existed here during Roman times, later the Visigoths "refounded" the place. In 1147 Olite was given a "Fuero de los francos de Estella". Obviously the Franks, that had settled in Estella (40kms northwest) to kick-start the pilgrim-business, had the jurisdication right here. The church of San Pedro is the oldest in town. Though altered and rebuilt many times , the facade still has some interesting Romanesque details. There is a very long and very weathered frieze running over the facade. Here is a detail from that frieze. I do know, that Saint Jerome (aka "Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus"), one of the Church Fathers, can often be seen with a tamed lion. But here somebody is riding a lion...

The largest structure in the hamlet of Covet is the church Santa Maria de Covet, a gem of romanesque art in Catalonia. The church, once part of an Augustinian priory, is surprisingly large for that tiny hamlet (pop. ~ 20), but during medieval times this must have been a busier place than it is today. The church (Latin cross plan) is dated 1150/1160 and it is believed, that it was built upon the foundations of an older Visigoth church. These two capitals are on the left side of the portal. They are masterly carved - and full of details. There are to lion-riders, who even dare to tear the mouths of the lions wide open. On the right capital are two male persons, behind the foliage, in an adorante gesture. Very individually sculpted human heads inbetween, while a small monkey-head in the right corner. BTW - none of the heads seen here is decorated with the jug-ears just seen.