Cultural activities


DONATION

OIL PAINTING SAN RAIMUNDO DE FITERO

WATERCOLOR OUR LADY OF THE MARTYRS

  • The internationally renowned painter Guillermina Sánchez Oró, born in Ceuta but who has long considered herself a true Murcian, has held over 150 exhibitions of her realist works in various locations around the world, including the United States, Mexico, and Italy. On September 25th, following the celebration of the VI Chapter of the Order of the Knights Custodians of Calatrava la Vieja, she emphasized that it was a very special day for two reasons:
  • Because two years prior, she had been awarded the Medal of Professional Merit of the Order of the Knights Custodians of Calatrava la Vieja; and
  • Because at that time she had the honor of being recognized as a Knight Custodian of the Order.

    • Guillermina Sánchez Oró explains her inspiration from the spirit of Saint Raymond of Fitero, founder of the Order of Calatrava in 1158, materializing this spiritual internalization in a magnificent oil painting, which the author herself donates to the Order of the Knights Custodians of Calatrava la Vieja.

    In 1212, the Christian army of Alfonso VIII reconquered Calatrava. After the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, the Order of Calatrava re-established itself in its mother house in the town of Calatrava. A chapel was built over the burial site of those who died after the Battle of Alarcos, which they called the Chapel of the Martyrs, as they considered those who died after the Battle of Calatrava at the hands of the victorious Almohads to be martyrs. In 1213, following the construction of the aforementioned chapel, which they named the Chapel of the Martyrs, the polychrome marble image of Our Lady of the Martyrs began to be venerated. Inspired by all of this, Guillermina Sánchez Oró painted a watercolor of Our Lady of the Martyrs, which she donated to the Order of the Knights Custodian of Calatrava la Vieja.

    The Knight of the Order, Ms. Guillermina Sánchez Oró, concludes with the reading of a poem she herself has written, reflecting the figure of the Abbot founder of the Order of Calatrava, Saint Raymond of Fiero.