Ken's Scrollwork

SANTO DOMINGO DE LA CALZADA

WHERE THE HEN CROWS AFTER IT HAS BEEN ROASTED

The belltower of the Cathedral of Santo Domingo De La Calzada is one of the most beautiful in Spain. Santo Domingo is a very old historical town in the well known northern province of La Rioja. The bell tower is next to the cathedral, though due to technical reasons, it had to be erected separated from the cathedral itself.

In the 11th century Santo Domingo retired to a beautiful area by the way of St. James to live in meditation and to assist the pilgrims on their way to Santiago. The Spanish word "calzada" means path. He built numerous bridges in the area, a chapel, a hospital and a pilgrims refuge. The town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada started as a small number of houses around the little church of the saint. When Santo Domingo died in 1109 the town was already well established and in 1558 work began on transforming the church into a Cathedral.

Description: The model is constructed of Mackay cedar and Jacaranda and finished with clear satin estsapol.Several thicknesses of timber were used: 1/16", 1/8" and many multiples of 1/6" and with 1,5,3 and many multiples of 3mm timber. It is an extremely complex construction with many different angles and bevels.

Designer: The plans for this model were obtained from Pedro Lopez Rodriguez, Seville, Spain. Pedro designed the pattern with total fidelity to the original monument, adding all possible detail . As a result the model is an excellelnt represeantation of the beautiful belltower.

Dimensions: 180 cm (H) x 26.6 cm (W)

Year Built: 2008

The scrollsaw model featured here is the present belltower which was built between 1762 and 1769

These four photographs show examples of the intricate and beautiful designs of the belltower

THE MIRACLE OF

THE COCK AND THE HEN

Tradition tells that a man, his wife and eighteen year old son were travelling along St. James way on a pilgrimage to Santiago, and when they arrived at Santo Domingo they booked in to the inn for the night. The girl who worked at the inn fell in love with the young man, but unfortunately he did not return her advances (which was a miracle in itself). In order to avenge the rebuff she hid a silver cup in his luggage and as the family were leaving town next morning she accused the young man of theft. Of course he protested his innocence, but as the silver cup was found in his luggage he was found to be guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. As was the custom in those days he was taken to the edge of town and hung from a tree. The distraught parents continued on their pilgrimage and as they were returning past the spot where their son was hanging they heard his voice saying "Santo Domingo de la Calzada has rewarded you for your pilgrimage and saved my life". They went straight to the house of the Corregidor and told him of the miracle. The Corregidor, a portly man, was about to partake of his lunch of a baked cock and hen, and baked vegetables with garnishes. He replied "Your son is no more alive than this cock and hen I am about to eat for my lunch" At that very moment the cock and hen became covered in feathers, stood up, crowed, kicked the garnishes off the plate and flew away. Since then, these famous words have been said:

"Santo Domingo de la Calzada, where the hen crows after it has been roasted"

The miracle was proclaimed and since then (14th century) a white cock and white hen have been kept in a gothic cage high in the belltower of the Cathedral. Local volunteeers tend the birds and change them each month. The current birds are believed to be descendants of the original cock and hen.

To return to website after viewing map, press "Back" arrow on address bar

Maps Customize Map size Small Medium Large Custom Width Height Preview View Larger Map Copy and paste this HTML to embed in your website
View Larger MapMaps Customize Map size Small Medium Large Custom Width Height Preview View Larger Map Copy and paste this HTML to embed in your website
View Larger MapMaps Customize Map size Small Medium Large Custom Width Height Preview View Larger Map Copy and paste this HTML to embed in your website
View Larger Map