Basilica of San Martiño de Mondoñedo (Spain)

The Basilica of San Martiño de Mondoñedo, located in Galicia in Spain, holds a significant place in Spanish history as one of the oldest cathedrals in the country. Its origins date back to the 9th century when it served as the seat of two bishops from the Kingdom of Galicia, one transferred from Dumio in the district of Braga, Portugal, and the other from Bretoña in the province of Lugo.

Constructed in the late 11th century in the Romanesque style, with robust buttresses added in the 18th century, the basilica has been recognized as a Cultural Heritage site since 1931 and attained the status of a minor basilica in 2007. The basilica is also home to the A Zapata fountain, where legend has it that Bishop San Gonzalo miraculously caused water to spring forth by throwing his shoe.

The history of the church traces back to the 6th century when a group of Christians fleeing Anglo-Saxon invaders settled in Galicia and established a bishopric in Bretoña. Later, in 866, the bishopric of Dumio relocated to the site of the basilica due to Moorish conquests, eventually evolving into San Martín de Mondoñedo. However, Viking raids in the mid-9th century led to the destruction of Bretoña, prompting the bishopric to move once again, this time permanently to Mondoñedo.

The basilica was home to several notable bishops, including Saint Rosendo and Bishop Gonzalo, revered for his purported miraculous interventions. In 1112, Queen Urraca ordered the transfer of the episcopal see to Vilamaior do Val de Brea, later renamed Mondoñedo, leading to the basilica's transformation into a priory affiliated with the Mondoñedo Cathedral. This measure, enacted by Pope Clement VII in 1534, aimed to curb abuses by prior commendators and ensure proper governance of the monastery. Today, the basilica stands as a testament to the enduring faith and architectural heritage of the region, inviting visitors to explore its rich history and cultural significance.

The Basilica of Sainte-Thérèse in Lisieux (France)

The Basilica of Sainte-Thérèse in Lisieux is a prominent Catholic pilgrimage site located in the town of Lisieux, Normandy, France. Constructed in honor of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (1873 - 1897), also known as the "Little Flower," the basilica serves as a place of reverence and devotion for believers from around the world.

Designed by architect Louis Marie Cordonnier, construction of the basilica began in 1929 and was completed in 1954. The basilica's architectural style is neo-Byzantine, characterized by its towering spires, intricate mosaics, and vibrant stained glass windows. Its grandeur reflects the profound impact of Saint Thérèse's spirituality and teachings on the Catholic faithful.

Inside the basilica, visitors are greeted by a serene atmosphere filled with the scent of incense and the soft murmur of prayers. The sanctuary houses relics of Saint Thérèse, including her remains, and serves as a place of pilgrimage for those seeking healing, guidance, and spiritual renewal.

The Basilica of Sainte-Thérèse stands as a symbol of the enduring legacy of Saint Thérèse and her "little way" of love and simplicity. It continues to attract pilgrims and tourists alike, offering a sacred space for reflection, prayer, and encounter with the divine.

Salamanca's beautiful ex-voto paintings

The statue of Santa Maria la Blanca surrounded by ex-voto paintings by José Sánchez.

The Old Cathedral of Salamanca houses a remarkable collection of original ex-voto paintings around the statue of Santa Maria la Blanca (14th century). The paintings depicte miracles attributed to Salamanca’s Christ of the Battles. Created by the little-known artist José Sánchez, also known as Jusepe Sánchez de Velasco, these paintings date back to the early 17th century. Comprising eighteen scenes arranged in two tiers, the ex-votos showcase the divine interventions experienced by the local inhabitants.

Despite their historical significance, these paintings have largely escaped the attention of scholars of Spanish Baroque art. Nevertheless, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the religious fervor of the era. Each scene is meticulously painted, featuring classical architectural elements separating the narratives of miracles performed by the Christ of the Battles.

Christ of the Battles

King Dagobert's Tomb in the Basilica of Saint-Denis (France)

King Dagobert I’s tomb at the Basilica of Saint Denis.

Dagobert I (c. 603/605 – 19 January 639) reigned as King of the Franks and is recognized as the final ruler of the Merovingian dynasty to exercise genuine royal authority. Notably, Dagobert became the inaugural Frankish monarch interred within the regal sepulchers at the Basilica of Saint-Denis.

His tomb exhibits a depiction of the king reclining on his side at the monument's base, accompanied by his wife Mathilde positioned to the left and his son Clovis II to the right. Intricately carved narratives on the tomb recount the vision of the hermit John. Following Dagobert's passing, his soul encounters a harrowing journey to Hell, depicted with demons ferrying it away, attributed to his contentious practice of appropriating church properties. However, in an upper panel, the benevolent intervention of Saint Denis, Saint Martin, and Saint Maurice intervenes, wresting Dagobert's soul from the clutches of demons and ushering it to Heavenly bliss, where it gains admission to Paradise.

The Mystic Mill, Vézelay (France)

In the Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene in Vézelay, many column capitals are decorated with depictions of Christian stories. The representation shown in this picture visualizes the story of the Mystic Mill. It depicts two figures. One pours grain into a mill, and the other collects the processed flour in a bag. The image is unique in Romanesque sculpture and does not seem to depict any known biblical story. However, a stained glass window in the Abbey of Saint-Denis (France), created around 1140, identifies the figures in this representation as Moses and Saint Paul. This identification helps understand the image as an allegory of the transformation of the Old Laws from the Old Testament to the New Laws of the New Testament. The cross within the mill-wheel symbolizes the transformation process of the mill and Christ's journey to the cross.

Cathedrals and Churches, Medieval Internet hubs focused on Storytelling

Interior of Église Saint-Martin, Saint-Valery-sur-Somme (France).

Cathedrals and churches, adorned with statues of saints and imagery, functioned as medieval equivalents of internet sites, seamlessly connecting individuals to a vast network of stories and teachings. Just as one navigates through web pages, visitors to cathedrals could explore the narratives depicted in sculptures, paintings, and stained glass windows. Each saint or image served as a portal to a distinct storyline, offering moral lessons, accounts of miraculous deeds, and examples of piety. Pilgrims and worshippers had the opportunity to access this treasury of tales, fostering a connection with the spiritual and cultural legacy of their community. In essence, cathedrals served as pivotal centers of information and inspiration, granting entry to a rich reservoir of religious and moral wisdom, much akin to browsing the web for knowledge and enlightenment.

Altarpiece by Juan de Valmaseda (1524), Cathedral of León (Spain)

Covadonga (Spain)

Covadonga is an important historical site in Spain due to the symbolism it represents for Spanish identity and history. It is known as the place where the Reconquista, the Christian reconquest of Spain, began in 718.

According to legend, the Visigothic nobleman Pelayo led a group of Asturian warriors against the Moorish army of Tariq ibn Ziyad in the Battle of Covadonga. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Pelayo and his men managed to defeat the Moorish forces, marking the beginning of the Reconquista.

Pelayo's victory is considered a turning point in the history of Spain, as it was the first time that Moorish rule in Spain was challenged. The Asturian kingdom, emerging from Pelayo's triumph, became the first Christian state on the Iberian Peninsula and laid the foundation for the reconquest of Spain by the Christian kingdoms.

Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene, Vézelay (France)

Vézelay is a particularly historic place in Burgundy, France. Its significance stems from the Benedictine monastery founded there in the 9th century.

Right from the beginning of its existence, the site became important because it was claimed that the bones of Mary Magdalene were found there. This quickly turned the village into an important pilgrimage site and transformed the village into a town. The location also became an important starting point for the Camino de Santiago.

Around 1120, after a massive fire in which more than 1000 pilgrims perished, construction of the current basilica started.

In 1146, Vézelay briefly became the center of the World. Pope Eugene III had asked abbot Bernard of Clairvaux to call for the second crusade to the Holy Land on Easter Sunday. Louis VII (King of France), and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine were there as well and supported the abbot.

In the 13th century, interest in Vézelay diminished considerably. The Catholic Church no longer embraced it as the place where Mary Magdalene was buried. This resulted in a decreasing flow of pilgrims. Over the centuries, Vézelay has retained its role as a starting point for the Camino to Santiago de Compostela.