We left El Cubo de Vino in a heavy,  early morning, frost, but by the time we were crossing the Roman bridge in Zamora, it had warmed up to a lovely,  sunny day.

Zamora is a wonderful old city, crammed with  Romanesque churches. The alberge is just up the hill from the Roman bridge,  and is clean, warm, and comfortable.

Victor and I where wandering around town, when we bumped into a local called Marcelino, who took us on his personal tour.

We were standing outside the church of the Magdalena, I asked him about this bout the unusual sculptures and he informed us that they depicted the arrival of Jesus in the city, with his wife Mary Magdalene and their baby ie The Holy Grail. The family then travelled on to southern France.  

He also told us that the city had strong Celtic roots, as witnessed by the popularity of a musical instrument very close in both design an sound to the Irish Uillean pipes,  the abundance of Celtic design in the architecture and finally the procession of the drunks (borrachos) which is part of the Semana Santa celebrations. This particular procession happens only in Zamora and, of course,  Marcelino,  regularly,  takes part.

He imparted one final bit of information, and whether  it relates to a Celtic past or not, I can’t be sure. The cathedral is famous for its many fine, pornographic carvings.

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