LOW LEVEL
History of the Asturian Diocese
Diaphanous space composed of six granite columns with capitals reminiscent of the Mudejar style as well as the glazed ceramics that line the nerves of the vaults. Their covers composed with vaults of crucería of evident gothic sense. This space serves as a distributor for the rooms of the lower floor for private rooms and two for the government offices of the Diocese. It is the rooms of Mr. Mayordomo, Secretary and Provisor. Also the Secretariat and the Provisorato. The set of these rooms narrates the peculiarities of the Diocese of Astorga.
ROOM 1. REMOTE CHRISTIAN ORIGINS
The city of Astorga is unique for its strategic location and for the primitive foundation of its Diocese in the beginnings of Christianity in the Iberian Peninsula. The first news speak of a bishopric organized in the year 254. It is an Apostolic Diocese since its origins are related to the apostle introducer of Christianity in the peninsula. It is necessary to stop before the liturgical Vessel, a piece used among the first Christian communities of this diocese, linked to the Eucharist, baptism or other types of liturgical rites.
ROOM 2. CAPITAL AND TESTIMONY
Astorga, of Roman origin, called Asturica Augusta, keeps alive one of the most remote testimonies of its Christianity. Sta. Marta Asturicense, martyr of imperial times. Patron of the city since the 17th century.
During the Middle Ages guild associations emerged with a charitable character, running hospitals for pilgrims. Some of these were grouped in an old institution that still persists, the Royal Brotherhood of the Five Wounds. You can see in this room a piece from the institution, Santa Ana Triple. The three figures arranged in a staggered way represent the earthly genealogy of the Savior.
ROOM 3. COMARCAS AND ARCIPRESTAZGOS
The diocese of Astorga extends today through three provinces: León, Zamora and Orense. This is explained because this diocese inherited the demarcation of the old Asturian Convent. The different parishes were grouped forming archpriesthoods.
Here you will find pieces from the different diocesan regions. All these pieces were at the service of the cult in their temples and some of them today maintain their function by moving from the Museum in certain occasions. An example of this is the Custody of Jiménez de Jamúz. Delicate piece of goldsmith of the XVI Century
ROOM 4. POPULAR RELIGIOUSNESS
This room is dedicated to one of the signs of identity of the Astorganian diocese: the roots of the religious tradition and popular piety that are visible in pilgrimages, festivities in honor of the Virgin and in devotion to holy saints such as veneration to San Roque. It is opportune to stop before the Cross of Castrotierra, script that heads one of the romería courtships in honor to Our Mrs. of Castrotierra.
ROOM 5. THE “CAMINO” AFTER THE SANTIAGO FOOTPRINT
This room is dedicated to the transcendence of the “santiaguista” phenomenon in the astorgan diocese. Here different iconographic typologies of the Apostle Santiago are revealed. We must highlight the pilgrim Santiago de Turcia, anonymous flamenco carving of the 16th century