The Frog, the Astronaut and the Sore Neck
Cathedral Dome, Salamanca
Spain, like many European countries, has plenty of cathedrals: vast, ornate monuments that dominate city centres and symbolize both the church’s power and its importance throughout the region’s history.
But how many have an astronaut in their delicately-carved stone?
For centuries, the university town of Salamanca has entertained students, children and visitors with a game of “spot the frog.” An immense sandstone carving guards the entrance to the Universidad Civil and legend has it that those who find the small (and weathered) frog among the heroes, legends and coats of arms will have good luck in the following year.
Looking for the frog
Still searching
Closing in on the frog
By now, however, the poor frog looks considerably worse for wear.
The Frog
A few streets away, a similar apricot-coloured carving graces the walls of the New Cathedral (after all, work only began on this one in 1513)
Take a closer look, however, because during 20th century restoration work, a new citizen appeared among the gargoyles…
The astronaut of Salamanca.
lol, love the astronaut. I’m afraid I can’t see the frog, even when it’s pointed out to me. Looks more like a skull to me. Or is the frog sitting on top of the skull? Hmmmm
LOL.. Love the astronaut
I can barely even tell its a frog. I don’t think I would have ever found it.
“Spot the Frog” sounds like a great game — the place is so beautiful, I hope I get to spot it one day myself. Thanks for sharing!
Yes – the frog is that dissolving splodge on top of the skull…
The astronaut is much easier to spot!
That’s a frog? It looked kind of like a pig to me :lol:
Well, you know, he’s a very old frog by now…
A frog? Never! If that little round thing is something… then it is a toad! ;-)