Tordesillas and Toro

The first leg of our trip to the Northwest was to Tordesillas and Toro. The first of the two cities is well-known as the place where the Treaty of Tordesillas was signed thereby establishing a line of demarcation for Spain and Portugal in their exploration of the high seas. With this treaty Spain gained a large portion of present-day Latin America. We visited the Convent of the Santas Claras where the daughter of Isabel and Fernando, Juana la Loca lived and died. She was also buried in the convent. Nineteen years after her death Felipe II had her body moved to Granada where it is buried in the Royal Crypt along with her husband, Felipe el Hermoso, and her parents.

Next to the Iglesia de San Antolín . . .

. . . you will find the Casa del Tratado. It is here that the Catholic Kings, Isabel and Ferdinand signed the Treaty of Tordesillas.

After our short visit to Tordesillas we traveled to Toro. Here we visited the Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor. 

The church is famous for the Portada de la Majestad (an entrance to the Church) which is still polychromatic (multicolored). Work began on the church in 1160 and was concluded in 1240. According to the guide at the Church a small chapel was added enclosing the door and protecting it from the elements. Today the door is an amazing example of the beauty that worshipers would have encountered as they approached the church (photo taken from http://www.lafronteradelduero.com/Paginas/colegiata_toro.html). Photos are not allowed of the facade.

Inside the church are four statues located on columns at the far end of the nave near the Portada de la Majestad. Two of particular interest are those located closest the doors. One is of a pregnant Virgin Mary. Below her feet is a representation of the Fall of Adam and Eve.

Opposite the Virgin Mary is a statue of the Angel Gabriel. He turns his head toward Mary as she turns towards him, each caught in a secret communication. One can almost hear the "Hail Mary, full of grace . . ." associated with the Annunciation. At his feet is a representation of the creation of Adam and Eve, with Eve coming literally from Adams rib. 

The upper statues remind the visitor of Mary's divine role as the mother of Christ while the podium on which they rest remind the viewer of the importance of the forthcoming birth of the Savior. It is a wonderful juxtaposing of two stories tied together by the Fall and the Redemption.