Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Agüero

I had been here before and I have uploaded many photos already in 2013, but I just had to return to this church. And add some more photos.. -- The Iglesia de Santiago stands surrounded by macchia at the end of a dust road about a kilometer southeast of Agüero. This isolated place is probably why it is named as well "Ermita de Santiago". It is a very strange structure and I did not have much information about. At one time within the 12th century somebody had started to build a pretty large basilica (- in the middle of nowhere). Obviously money was not an issue, as gifted sculptors and experienced builders left their marks here. Then - some decades later, the building process stopped, the church was never completed. No wonder, that the artist/workshop known as "Master of San Juan de la Peña" is even better known under the name of "Master of Agüero". I had seen his works in San Juan de la Peña and Sangüesa, but what he created here are real masterpieces. Here are capitals of the portal´s right side. A female dancer, flanked by two musicians. To the right is a flautist and another very flexible dancer. -- You´ll find more photos in the album "Aragon".

I had been here before and I have uploaded many photos already in 2013, but I just had to return to this church. And add some more photos.. -- The Iglesia de Santiago stands surrounded by macchia at the end of a dust road about a kilometer southeast of Agüero. This isolated place is probably why it is named as well "Ermita de Santiago". It is a strange structure and I did not have much information about. At one time within the 12th century somebody had started to build a pretty large basilica (- in the middle of nowhere). Obviously money was not an issue, as gifted sculptors and experienced builders left their marks here. Then - some decades later, the building process stopped, the church was never completed. -- You´ll find more photos in the album "Aragon".

The Iglesia de Santiago stands surrounded by macchia at the end of a dust road about a kilometer southeast of Agüero. This isolated place is probably why it is named as well "Ermita de Santiago". It is a very strange structure and I did not have much information about. At one time within the 12th century somebody had started to build a pretty large basilica (- in the middle of nowhere). Obviously money was not an issue, as gifted sculptors and experienced builders left their marks here. Then - some decades later, the building process stopped, the church was never completed. No wonder, that the artist/workshop known as "Master of San Juan de la Peña" is even better known under the name of "Master of Agüero". I had seen his works in San Juan de la Peña and Sangüesa, but what he created here are real masterpieces. The frieze, that runs all around the apses is unfortunately very weathered. There are mythical creatures, hunting animals, humans, angels and much more. Note the mason marks.

The Iglesia de Santiago stands surrounded by macchia at the end of a dust road about a kilometer southeast of Agüero. This isolated place is probably why it is named as well "Ermita de Santiago". It is a very strange structure and I did not have much information about. At one time within the 12th century somebody had started to build a pretty large basilica (- in the middle of nowhere). Obviously money was not an issue, as gifted sculptors and experienced builders left their marks here. Then - some decades later, the building process stopped, the church was never completed. No wonder, that the artist/workshop known as "Master of San Juan de la Peña" is even better known under the name of "Master of Agüero". I had seen his works in San Juan de la Peña and Sangüesa, but what he created here are real masterpieces. All around the three apses runs a frieze.

The Iglesia de Santiago stands surrounded by macchia at the end of a dust road about a kilometer southeast of Agüero. This isolated place is probably why it is named as well "Ermita de Santiago". It is a very strange structure and I did not have much information about. At one time within the 12th century somebody had started to build a pretty large basilica (- in the middle of nowhere). Obviously money was not an issue, as gifted sculptors and experienced builders left their marks here. Then - some decades later, the building process stopped, the church was never completed. No wonder, that the artist/workshop known as "Master of San Juan de la Peña" is even better known under the name of "Master of Agüero". I had seen his works in San Juan de la Peña and Sangüesa, but what he created here are real masterpieces. The outside walls of the church are covered with lots of different mason marks. The structure was obviously erected with a lot of effort in a short time - and so a task - for many masons. The + and the L on the left may be such marks, but what is seen to the right are carved graffiti. Maybe somebody named Lawrence carved in that gridiron, to honour his patron saint. As the church is so isolated people carving in graffiti here are undisturbed and have plenty of time.

The Iglesia de Santiago stands surrounded by macchia at the end of a dust road about a kilometer southeast of Agüero. This isolated place is probably why it is named as well "Ermita de Santiago". It is a very strange structure and I did not have much information about. At one time within the 12th century somebody had started to build a pretty large basilica (- in the middle of nowhere). Obviously money was not an issue, as gifted sculptors and experienced builders left their marks here. Then - some decades later, the building process stopped, the church was never completed. No wonder, that the artist/workshop known as "Master of San Juan de la Peña" is even better known under the name of "Master of Agüero". I had seen his works in San Juan de la Peña and Sangüesa, but what he created here are real masterpieces. Here are the capitals of the portal´s right side. They differ clearly from the others just seen. While on the left side were 9 humans (dancing, talking, fighting..) here are mythical creatures. Similar to the left side only the two lions sharing a prey (looks like a large hare). To the right a centaur with bow and arrows, prepared to fight the dragon around the corner. Another centaur is on the very weathered fifth capital (hard to see). He looks back as an armed warrior is behind him.

The Iglesia de Santiago stands surrounded by macchia at the end of a dust road about a kilometer southeast of Agüero. This isolated place is probably why it is named as well "Ermita de Santiago". It is a very strange structure and I did not have much information about. At one time within the 12th century somebody had started to build a pretty large basilica (- in the middle of nowhere). Obviously money was not an issue, as gifted sculptors and experienced builders left their marks here. Then - some decades later, the building process stopped, the church was never completed. No wonder, that the artist/workshop known as "Master of San Juan de la Peña" is even better known under the name of "Master of Agüero". I had seen his works in San Juan de la Peña and Sangüesa, but what he created here are real masterpieces. Here are the capitals from the left side, that depict music and dance. To the very left the musician seems to tune the harp (Thank you Groenling!), while the female dancer seems to wait for him, to start. The person to the right is already playing the vieille. On the right capital is a hooded flautist, with a kind of double-flute, the flexible lady in the center performs an ecstatic dance. Her long hair flow over the ground.

The Iglesia de Santiago stands surrounded by macchia at the end of a dust road about a kilometer southeast of Agüero. This isolated place is probably why it is named as well "Ermita de Santiago". It is a very strange structure and I did not have much information about. At one time within the 12th century somebody had started to build a pretty large basilica (- in the middle of nowhere). Obviously money was not an issue, as gifted sculptors and experienced builders left their marks here. Then - some decades later, the building process stopped, the church was never completed. No wonder, that the artist/workshop known as "Master of San Juan de la Peña" is even better known under the name of "Master of Agüero". I had seen his works in San Juan de la Peña and Sangüesa, but what he created here are real masterpieces. Here are the four capitals of the portal´s right side. To the left are two lions tearing a ram to pieces. Next is a female dancer, flanked by two musicians. The third capital depicts a flautist and another very flexible dancer. To the very right are two gesticulating men (one standing, one seated) obviously discussing. Then there two fighting warriors in chain mails. From this pov only one warrior can be seen.

The Iglesia de Santiago stands surrounded by macchia at the end of a dust road about a kilometer southeast of Agüero. This isolated place is probably why it is named as well "Ermita de Santiago". It is a very strange structure and I did not have much information about. At one time within the 12th century somebody had started to build a pretty large basilica (- in the middle of nowhere). Obviously money was not an issue, as gifted sculptors and experienced builders left their marks here. Then - some decades later, the building process stopped, the church was never completed. No wonder, that the artist/workshop known as "Master of San Juan de la Peña" is even better known under the name of "Master of Agüero". I had seen his works in San Juan de la Peña and Sangüesa, but what he created here are real masterpieces. Here are the corbels under the tympanum (see previous upload). They flank the wooden door and are easy to be seen by anybody entering the church. These two fierce, devouring lions are a warning. On the left a fully dressed warrior is caught. He is still fighting with a sword and a long club. One of his legs is already in the beasts mouth. One the right an obviously nude lady. Both of her legs are in the beasts mouth - and it looks like she waves farewell to the shocked onlookers.

The Iglesia de Santiago stands surrounded by macchia at the end of a dust road about a kilometer southeast of Agüero. This isolated place is probably why it is named as well "Ermita de Santiago". It is a very strange structure and I did not have much information about. At one time within the 12th century somebody had started to build a pretty large basilica (- in the middle of nowhere). Obviously money was not an issue, as gifted sculptors and experienced builders left their marks here. Then - some decades later, the building process stopped, the church was never completed. The Adoration of the Magi. No wonder, that the artist/workshop known as "Master of San Juan de la Peña" is even better known under the name of "Master of Agüero". I had seen his works in San Juan de la Peña and Sangüesa, but this well preserved, large tympanum is a masterpiece. The Virgin "equipped" with wide shoulders (compared to the Magi), seems to proudly accept the adoration of the child (nimbus), who blesses the visitors. Tired Joseph, holding a walking stick, seems to contemplate already about Egypt. A common Joseph-icon. One of the Magi kisses young Jesus´ feet - just like in Sos del Rey Católico (80kms northwest). A crack runs through the tympanum. From Jospeh´s shoulder down to the Virgin´s shoes. Two fierce, devouring animals hold the lintel. They will be better seen on one of the following uploads.

The Iglesia de Santiago stands surrounded by macchia at the end of a dust road about a kilometer southeast of Agüero. This isolated place is probably why it is named as well "Ermita de Santiago". It is a very strange structure and I did not have much information about. At one time within the 12th century somebody had started to build a pretty large basilica (- in the middle of nowhere). Obviously money was not an issue, as gifted sculptors and experienced builders left their marks here. Then - some decades later, the building process stopped, the church was never completed. Here is the wonderful portal of the Iglesia de Santiago. Six corbels over simple archivolts. A large tympanum (with only one scene) over the small, wooden door and eight elaborately carved capitals.

The Iglesia de Santiago stands surrounded by macchia at the end of a dust road about a kilometer southeast of Agüero. This isolated place is probably why it is named as well "Ermita de Santiago". It is a strange structure and I did not have much information about. At one time within the 12th century somebody had started to build a pretty large basilica (- in the middle of nowhere). Obviously money was not an issue, as gifted sculptors and experienced builders left their marks here. Then - some decades later, the building process stopped, the church was never completed. Only a wall was erected to "close" the building.

Agüero has this really dramatic setting! The rock formations in the background are the Mallos de Agüero. In the center of the village (pop. 150) is the large Iglesia de San Salvador. We did not stop, but turned right into a dust road and headed to Iglesia de Santiago.

We used a poor road-map to reach Agüero and it was a quite surprise for us to see the Iglesia de Santiago up on a hill, before we had even reached the village.