The Lioness Bottom Statue and Collegiate Church of Sant Feliu, Girona, Spain
In the Carrer Calderers (Calderers Street), previously known as Carrer dels Perolers, at Number 19, was a Romanesque column with a lion climbing up it. Possibly, this sculpture was used to give the Hostal de la Lleona it's name. This hostel was functioning during the Middle Ages and continued right up to modern times. It was situated in a good place, at the entrance to the city and all the travellers who were coming to Girona from France stopped there. Despite the fact that the sculpture represents a male lion, it was first confused with a monkey, because it was climbing, and later on it became part of Girona’s mythology as a lioness. As the figure was not very high up, people standing on tiptoe, stretching up their arms, they could just reach and touch the small beast’s bottom with their hands. And since the Catalans are rather destiny fearing in their ways, the act became a ritual. The lioness became quite famous among both Girona people and visitors. In time, the rite of touching or even kissing its bottom became a sort of baptism for newcomers to Girona, after having signed the city register. And, for those of Girona, a guarantee of a happy return to their city, after having been away. As a visitor, a kiss guarantees that you will return one day.
Size: 5315px × 3631px
Location: St. Feliu square, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
Photo credit: © dleiva / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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