PALRA | Documenting Living Languages in Western Iberia
SM | San Martín de Trevejo Corpus ID : 047 -155788
PALRA
136044
Laura_Pizarro_Jacinto
Spain
Cáceres
The carving inside the Palacio Episcopal de Cáceres shows a pair of crossed keys. This is a very common Christian symbol, especially associated with San Pedro (Saint Peter).
In Christian tradition, Saint Peter was given the “keys of the Kingdom of Heaven” by Christ (Matthew 16:19). The crossed keys (one gold, one silver, though not visible in wood carvings) became the emblem of the papacy and also appear often in cathedrals, episcopal palaces, and churches dedicated to San Pedro.
In Cáceres, where the church and episcopal authority were historically strong, it makes sense this symbol would appear carved into choir stalls, doors, or wooden panels as a mark of ecclesiastical power and connection to Saint Peter.
Lingscape
