Portal of Church of Saint James the Great, Carrión de los Condes

The portal of the Church of Saint James the Great displays three decorated archivolts on its western side, with 24 voussoirs carved with medieval figures and details. The surface shows Christ Pantocrator within a mandorla at the center, flanked by the symbols of the Four Evangelists and Apostles arranged under multifoil arches.

This portal was built between 1160 and 1170 and represents a peak of Spanish Romanesque architecture. It survived the fire of 1811 that damaged other sections of the church, preserving its original carved details.

The carved figures in the arches show everyday medieval people: craftspeople, musicians, and dancers wearing period clothing and holding their tools. You can see how the sculptors captured the diversity of medieval society through these detailed depictions of working life.

The portal can be viewed during different seasons, with extended hours from April through September and reduced access during winter months. Plan time to examine the carved details from multiple angles to fully appreciate the sculptural work.

Two different sculptors carved the portal decorations, leaving distinct artistic styles visible in the gestures and surface textures of the figures. These differences become apparent when examining the work closely and reveal how individual craftsmen approached their carving.

Location: Carrión de los Condes

Part of: Church of Santiago, Way of Saint James in the province of Palencia

GPS coordinates: 42.33819,-4.60367

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:08