La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
The photo above is a close-up of King Fernando III, the Saint, in a niche on the facade of the church of San Francisco. The reason he’s there is because this is one of the 12 church’s built in Córdoba in the 1200s under his orders. My thanks to Francisco Haro Navas for sharing the old photo, (below left) on a local online group. I’ve visited this plaza and church (with San Francisco over the entrance to the plaza) and I’ve shared a bit about it before. I hadn’t noticed that the orb San Fernando usually holds in his left hand is not there. The orb symbolizes San Fernando’s efforts to spread Christianity throughout the Iberian Peninsula. (Gee, thanks.) However, as in the close-up above, you can see the orb lying on its side by his left foot.
On the 1st of November 1755, “The Great Lisbon Earthquake” struck off the coast of Portugal. It was followed by deadly tsunamis and fires. Lisbon was nearly destroyed. Andalusia suffered some severe damage and the quake was felt as far away as Finland. If you’re interested, here’s a link to the Wikipedia article. But my point is: It’s thought that the orb in the statue’s hand broke off during the quake. It’s been at his feet ever since.
In case I haven’t told you enough times, Fernando III, the Saint, is San Geraldo’s 22-greats grandfather (which is why I call San Geraldo “San Geraldo”). As my father used to say: “That and a nickel will get you on the subway.” You’ll now need $2.90.
Aiming today for at least 43˚C/109˚F or higher. I’m not even doing laundry. However, we have a lot of online orders being delivered today. One has already arrived, a new cat tree for SG’s office. I’m going to offer to assemble it. I’m feeling strong and more flexible (at least physically). With the dizzies mostly gone, home workouts are helping.
La foto de arriba es un primer plano del rey Fernando III, el Santo, en un nicho de la fachada de la iglesia de San Francisco. Está ahí porque es una de las doce iglesias construidas en Córdoba en el siglo XIII bajo su mando. Agradezco a Francisco Haro Navas por compartir la foto antigua (abajo a la izquierda) en un grupo local online. He visitado esta plaza e iglesia (con San Francisco a la entrada de la plaza) y ya he hablado un poco sobre ella. No me había dado cuenta de que el orbe que San Fernando suele sostener en la mano izquierda no está. El orbe simboliza los esfuerzos de San Fernando por difundir el cristianismo por la Península Ibérica. (¡Vaya, gracias!). Sin embargo, al igual que en el primer plano de arriba, se puede ver el orbe tumbado junto a su pie izquierdo.
El 1 de noviembre de 1755, el Gran Terremoto de Lisboa azotó la costa de Portugal. Le siguieron tsunamis e incendios mortales. Lisboa quedó prácticamente destruida. Andalucía sufrió graves daños y el terremoto se sintió hasta en Finlandia. Si te interesa, aquí tienes un enlace al artículo de Wikipedia. Pero lo que quiero decir es que se cree que el orbe en la mano de la estatua se desprendió durante el terremoto. Ha permanecido a sus pies desde entonces.
Por si no te lo he dicho suficientes veces, Fernando III, el Santo, es el 22º tatarabuelo de San Geraldo (por eso le llamo San Geraldo). Como decía mi padre: “Con eso y cinco centavos puedes subir al metro”. Ahora necesitarás 2,90 dólares.
Hoy quiero alcanzar al menos 43 °C/109 °F o más. Ni siquiera estoy lavando la ropa. Sin embargo, hoy tenemos muchos pedidos en línea. Ya llegó uno: un árbol para gatos nuevo para la oficina de SG. Voy a ofrecerme a montarlo. Me siento fuerte y más flexible (al menos físicamente). Ahora que los mareos han desaparecido casi por completo, los entrenamientos en casa están ayudando.
Click the two above images for a closer look.
Haga clic en las dos imágenes de arriba para verlas más de cerca.
• Dentro de la Catedral de Sevilla, orbe en su mano izquierda como siempre.
• Día de San Fernando 2012. Nunca sale de casa sin su capa de armiño.
• Tampoco lo hace su 22º tataranieto.
Lawn bowling, anyone? And of course, my favourite photo is the last one!
Debra:
I have so much fun playing with San Geraldo.
It all so fascinating!!!! And the niche on the facade of the church of San Francisco is still in remarkably good condition. But alas, I have my own two orbs to worry about.
And look at San Geraldo!!!! It’s beyond me why they don’t have him in the parade?!?!?
Mistress Borghese:
It’s amazing how these structures survive. Lots of repairs and renovations over the years, too. It’s beyond San Geraldo why he doesn’t have his own parade!
Certainly looks like he dropped the orb.
I hate it when that happens!
Bob:
Lucky the orb didn’t roll from where it landed. And amazing it has remained there. Fernando, however, must be so frustrated.
If I had an ermine cape, I would never leave home without it. Great history. I love the old and new photos side by side.
David:
I wonder what iteration that is of the ermine cape. When I saw the old photo and learned about the orb, I was fascinated.
Things were certainly built to last in the old days. Buildings, plazas, myths…
It’s perfectly fine if someone has a religion they truly believe in and a god they truly believe in or gods they truly believe in but why the hell do they feel as if everyone must also share those beliefs?
Speaking of hell, don’t go outside. Just don’t.
Not Your Mother But A Mother Nonetheless
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
I’m being very careful, MeMaw. You certainly know how it is. I think you have it worse. Our humidity is 23% and drops as the day progresses. I have some serious problems with organized religion and the holier-than-thous.
I just hate it when I drop my orbs; as mommy always told me “Keep your orbs up, son, and you’ll never go astray”. Excellent photoshopping!
wickdedhamster:
My mother never ever talked about my orbs. I’ve therefore been very irresponsible with them.
SG seems like an ermine kind of guy. 🙂
I suppose if that orb’s been disconnected for 250+ years, it’s pretty much a permanent change! No repairs needed.
Steve:
Yes, I would have worried about the orb rolling off but clearly that’s not a concern after all this time.
Ferdinand III, patron saint of bowling in San Francisco? SG looks like a natural fit for the San Fernando Day parade too!
Tundra Bunny:
I KNEW there had to be a patron saint of bowling. Apparently he’s also the patron saint of, among other things, the Spanish Army Corps of Engineers. You’d think he would have miraculously restored the orb. Ooh! I just read that, although it’s not officially sanctioned by the Catholic Church, San Sebastian is the patron saint of bowlers. Get this: Because all those arrows look like bowling pins!!!
Very interesting!
Glad to hear that the dizzies are almost gone.
Does Córdoba always have temperatures in this range, in the summer (do you know?), or is this summer uncharacteristically HOT?
Judy C:
This is fairly normal weather for summer here, although it began earlier than usual. Here’s hoping it gets no higher than this week (which could hit around 110). Last year it hit 115. Fuengirola has been having an unusually hot summer.
I guess that orb is secure where it is now, but I’d hate to have that thing drop on my head.
Always a pleasure to see SG in his regalia!
Kelly:
I’ll be wary now walking under that orb. After 255 years, though, it might be secure. SG doesn’t put on his regalia very often anymore.
Does San Geraldo have his own feast day?
Kirk:
Every leap year. It’s the Día de San Geraldo. The photo I shared of him is from one of those events. Next one is 11 February 2026. Check out the first: https://movingwithmitchell.com/2012/03/01/first-quadrennial-dia-de-san-geraldo/
I’m sure San Geraldo’s orbs were one of the original reasons you got together. Dropped or otherwise. 🤣🤣🤣 Jx
Jon:
Yes. They are mighty orbs!
This is amazing! Glad for the connection! Rade
Rade:
Thanks! Same here. And I’m glad you enjoyed this.
Ermine rules! About the dropped orb, what’s the Spanish for butterfingers? Boud
Boud:
You asked! You could say “torpe” which simply means clumsy or awkward. OR you could say “manos de mantequilla,” hands of butter.