Cruceiro of Plaza da Madalena
About this heritage
The cruceiro of Praza da Madalena, made of granite in 1718, is one of the most outstanding heritage elements in the historic center of Ourense. Located in a cozy square between the church of Santa María Nai and the Cathedral, the cruceiro features on its cross the figures of Christ crucified over a skull and the Virgin Dolorosa supported by angels, surrounded by four medallions with scenes that are difficult to interpret. Its capital is truncated pyramidal and the shaft polygonal, resting on a base also truncated pyramidal with reliefs and an inscription that recalls it was erected for the city under the magistrate Bernardo Patricio de Arce y Obregón. The ensemble rests on three square steps. The square, formerly a cemetery and fruit market, is surrounded by traditional houses that were home to artisans and artists. The cruceiro was moved here from its original location in the old “Alameda do Cruceiro.”
To learn more
In the center of Plaza da Madalena, in Ourense, there is a very special stone cross called cruceiro. It was built over 300 years ago, in 1718, and is made of granite. If you look closely, on the cross you will see Jesus and the Virgin surrounded by angels and mysterious medallions. The cruceiro is placed on three steps and has an inscription that tells it was made for the city when a man named Bernardo was in charge. Before, this square was a cemetery and a fruit market, and the surrounding houses belonged to artisans and artists. The cruceiro was brought from another part of the city so everyone could see and take care of it, along with ancient treasures. If you visit Ourense, you can’t miss it!
To know it better
The Baroque cruceiro of Praza da Madalena, dated 1718 according to the inscription on its base, constitutes a notable example of Galician religious sculpture in granite. It stands on three square-plan steps and features a truncated pyramidal base with reliefs and a commemorative inscription: “For the city this cruceiro and field was made during the magistracy of Don Bernardo Patricio de Arce y Obregón.” The shaft, of polygonal section, supports a truncated pyramidal capital and a cross with the figures of Christ crucified over a skull and the Virgin Dolorosa on angels, surrounded by four medallions of complex iconography. The cruceiro occupies the center of the square, a space formerly linked to the chapel of Magdalena, hosting functions as a cemetery and market from the 15th to the 19th century. The relocation of the cruceiro from the “Alameda do Cruceiro” to its current site reinforces its symbolic and urban function within the historic fabric of Ourense. A symbol of the urban and religious resilience of Ourense, it is a mandatory reference in the study of Galician medieval art.
Location
- Town
- Ourense
- Municipality
- Ourense
- Province
- Ourense
- Country
- Spain
The asset
- Eco-destination
- Río Miño – Ourense
- Environment
- Urban
How to get there
- Access
- By land
The visit
- Visitable
- yes
Coordinates
- Latitud
- 42.33566
- Longitud
- -7.86328