The Embrace of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim at the Golden Gate

Painted iron relief of the Meeting of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim at the Golden Gate, mounted above a chapel gate in the Basilica de Santa María de los Reales Alcázares, Úbeda, Spain.

At first glance, it looks like a joyful reunion. A woman and a man, both haloed and aged, meet at a gate and clasp each other in a heartfelt embrace. Around them, astonished onlookers — women, shepherds, even angels — witness this tender moment. But what we see in this painted iron relief, mounted above a chapel entrance in the Basilica de Santa María de los Reales Alcázares in Úbeda, Spain, is much more than a greeting. It’s a moment of sacred significance: the meeting of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim at the Golden Gate.

This scene draws its roots not from the canonical gospels, but from an early Christian apocryphal text — the Proto-Evangelium of James (also known as the Proto-Gospel of James), written in the second century CE. In this text, Anne and Joachim are the elderly, childless couple who become the parents of Mary, the future mother of Jesus. After being separated and praying in solitude, each is visited by an angel with miraculous news: Anne will bear a child. They rush to meet each other in Jerusalem, and embrace at the Golden Gate.

The scene captured in the ironwork shows this event in vivid, almost theatrical detail. Anne, cloaked and veiled, reaches toward Joachim, who is depicted with a long beard and a broad gesture of affection. The shepherd with the ram over his shoulders, and the angelic figures floating above, remind us that this is not just a family moment — it is the beginning of a divine plan. Mary is not yet born, but already her story is in motion.

In this small piece of devotional art — forged and painted, then placed above a gate where worshippers pass — we see a powerful symbol of new beginnings. Hope when all hope seemed lost. Life arriving quietly, unexpectedly, through faith.

Úbeda's prehistoric past (Spain)

A mended bowl from Ubeda (~ 1400 BCE; Museo arqueológico de Úbeda).

Úbeda is one of the oldest cities in Spain, with a fascinating history that goes back over 6,000 years! Archaeological finds, especially at the site called Eras del Alcázar, show that people have lived in this area since the Neolithic period (around 3500 BCE). Back then, the folks in Úbeda were busy with farming and raising animals, growing early cereal crops and legumes, and even starting to cultivate olives, which are now a big part of the region’s identity.

Fast forward to the Copper Age (around 2200-2000 BCE), Úbeda became part of the ‘El Argar’ culture and its population started to grow. The settlement became more organized, with circular houses and improved farming techniques. By the Bronze Age (2000-1700 BCE), things really began to change. The community became more complex, with people specializing in different trades, particularly metalworking. This made Úbeda a hub for crafting tools and ornaments.

Between 1500 BCE and 1000 BCE, Úbeda's spot near the Guadalquivir River turned out to be super important. The land was fertile, and there were plenty of natural resources, making it a center for farming and trade. The people of Úbeda focused on olives, which would later help shape the local economy. Their skill in agriculture laid the foundation for what became known as the region’s "green gold": olive oil.

During this time, Úbeda also saw the building of impressive megalithic structures, like burial mounds and stone circles, which served both religious and commemorative purposes. These structures show how spiritually connected the people were, honoring their ancestors and cherishing their bond with nature.

As the 1st millennium BCE approached, Úbeda kept growing and changing. New influences from Phoenician traders brought in exotic goods and ideas, slowly transforming the local culture. This period saw the rise of local chieftains, leading to a more organized society that controlled the production and trade of agricultural products and metals.

By 1000 BCE, Úbeda was on the brink of becoming a key cultural and political center as it transitioned from the Bronze Age to the Iberian Age. Its rich history set the stage for what would become a celebrated cultural landmark, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its continuous occupation and evolution, Úbeda is one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe, showcasing the deep-rooted legacy of its ancient inhabitants.