El pilar - saragossa, spain

[Thomas Clay]

After several months for cutting, folding and pasting, I just finished my 44th architectural model - El Pilar church in Saragossa, Spain. We visited this historic church on our 2009 Cathedral Quest. You can read more details by going to my website www.cathedralquest.com , clicking on Spain 2009 and going to Day 6.

El Pilar, was so named, according to Christian tradition, in the year 40 A.D. when the Apostle St. James founded the Pilar of Saragossa, in accordance with the wishes of the Virgin Mary, who appeared to James stading on the pilar of stone. It was not until 1677 that the present church began to take its shape.

The model is an Merino model which is the first Merino model that I have built - I have ten more Merino - all Spanish - yet to build. Building a Merino model for the first time was very challenging, until I got use to it, because none of the parts are numbered. The numbers appear on the page, so it is a good idea to write the number on the part as it is cut. Also there are no numbers showing where two parts are to be joined as in other models. There are 8 pages of very detailed instructions in 3 different languages plus a large numbered drawing and several insert drawings. There are a total of 27 little dome tops to make - about the size of your little finger. Each dome consists of 8 little sides to glue together - that was great fun. The model measures 22"X 13" and the four corner towers are 15" tall.

Now I can begin working on five new models of churches in Southern France which will be our next Cathedral Quest later this year

[Shabbo]

Several months? You're slacking, Thomas.

A lovely piece of work (as always).

Philip

It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing - Duke Ellington