Sites in Zafra

Yesterday we decided to get to know more of our town.  Soon we will start taking some trips on the weekends, especially to some of the cities that are fairly close in the South, but we thought it made more sense to get to know our town better first.  We started at la Iglesia de Nuestra Sra. de la Candeleria.  It was built in 1546 and seems to be rather representative of typical catholic churches in Spain, though I will have to let you know for sure after I have seen more of them.  I was really struck by the number of women (Las Virgenes) represented in various images and status in the church.  Even Catholicism in the States does not have this same emphasis.  It was also very amazing how much of the church was plated or painted in gold, all of the altars and special areas.  

Afterwards we headed to el Arco de Cubo and el Arco de Jerez, which were both constructed in the mid-1400s.  I don’t know why humans are so fascinated by arches and domes; it is like they seem to defy physics (even though they don’t).  I love them, and it is amazing that they have been standing for this long.  

El Arco de Cubo--you can see the convent on the other side

El Arco de Jerez--you can see cute houses on the other side, but I theorize that  this side points to the town of Jerez (which is where Sherry comes from)

Finally we went to el Museo de Santa Clara, which is a museum for the convent of Santa Clara, which is still functioning today.  I heard a rumor that the sisters make and sell these amazing candies around Christmas time, so Marissa and I are definitely going to have to check it out!  If there is candy, I am there.  

Painting of the Last Supper that I liked

Chapel in the Convent (gold again!)