Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: prisoner

San Andrés was erected on a little hill, that was settled already in pre-Roman times, as recent excavation proved. The tiny hamlet Soto de Bureba is part of the village Quintanaélez (pop. ~ 100). An inscription above the portal gives the construction date of 1175. During medieval times the area must have been much more densely populated, as later even a second nave was added to the structure. The parish church is known for its wonderful, sculpted portal, seen here. The arches have an interesting, but somehow strange iconography. Some of the icons are pretty unique. There is a collection of really fantastic and mythical beasts. The largest figure of the portal is a man/prisoner with chains binding his neck and feet. He is bearded and has very long hair. There is probably a touching story behind this, but it seems lost. It may be connected to the Reconquista.

Saint Miguel is tightly connected to Saint Mary of Eunate (8 kms west) and it is as enigmatic. There are many theories centered around these two churches. The portal of San Miguel is very similar to the portal of Saint Mary of Eunate, but mirror inverted. Here one of the four capitals of the portal. There is a grotesque head at the corner, flanked by two small, skinny persons, that seem to be enchained. The information given in Olcoz prefers the theory that the carvings of Olcoz and Eunate should be seen as a calender. Following this, the carving seen here stands for LIBRA, I actually doubt that. In case these persons are indeed in chains, they are in deed prisoners (remember the handcuff-greffito in Eunate), this capitals should be seen on the background of the Reconquista.

Saint Mary of Eunate stands isolated, as it was not erected in or near a village, but in the middle of fields. It is surrounded by arches, that gave this place the name, as (according to the tourist office) "Eunate" means "one hundred doors" in Basque. Though, there is not much information about the origins of this wonderful, octogonal church, it has probably been an important place for the pilgrims since the 12th century, as from here to Puente la Reina, where the "Camino Aragonés" / "Via Tolosana" joins the busy "Camino Francés" is only a short walk. The floorplan of Saint Mary of Eunate is surely inspired by the "Church of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem". Such churches (eg Tomar, Estrella, Pisa..) are often connected to the Knights Templar, but there no proof, that they have ever been in this area. The earliest documented reference is from 1487 and just mentions the "Virgin of Eunate", but at that time, the church was already centuries old. These are marks on the pillars outside. These may be a mason's mark or graffiti. I tend to see them as graffiti, depicting handcuffs. They were a symbol for "prisoned". One of the important halts on the "Via Lemovicensis" is Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, where the relics of Saint Leonard are venerated. He was the patron saint for prisoners and one of his symbols are this kind of handcuffs.