San Francesco Javier Church
So as Kristen mentioned, our first week in Spain fell on Three Kings Day. So to get into the celebration, we decide to go to church. Now there is a small church not a 10 minute walk from us, but I, of course, want to trek to the big one. I have always had a thing for old churches. They are stunningly beautiful, and full of history, and this one does not disappoint.
San Francesco Javier was started in the 17th century, and took almost a hundred years to complete. The part I found most fascinating, is that the original church was burnt to the ground during the Spanish Civil war in the 1930’s. Some of the churches most prized pieces, were pulled from the fire by the community, and hidden in their houses until after the war, when the church could be rebuilt. One of these pieces is the Crucifix, which you can see has been darkened by the flames.
So Kristen and I walk the 35 minutes or so, up to the church for the noon service. We hear the tolling of the bells before we can see it, and then round the corner to the beautiful church, and the giant nativity scene, that puts the one from the previous night to shame.
The church service was much like a Christmas service back home, down to the shaking your neighbours hands, and communion, with 2 major differences. The first being that it was in Spanish, and the second, The Three Kings waltzing in to hand out presents. This was exciting for me because I failed to get a good picture the night before.
Our curiosity satisfied for now, we walk home to again sit on our roof top terrace and drink Vodka Fizzes, with fresh squeezed orange juice. So far life in Spain is grand!
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