The Legend of the Innocent Cloth Weaver and the Sculpture of Santa Maria del Mar
Legends, though not part of historical records, significantly shape our collective imagination, helping us understand some artistic expressions around us. A perfect example is the tale of the statue of the Virgin Mary that leans to one side, sculpted by Frederic Marès, standing at the apse of Santa Maria del Mar church leading to the Plaça del Born.
The Origins of the Sculpture
Originally, the image was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. However, Frederic Marès took it upon himself to create a new version that preserved the original posture, which was said to be a result of a miraculous act.
The Legend Unfolds
A Quiet Evening Interrupted
The legend begins on a tranquil evening, just before the curfew that closed the city gates. The street lights of Carrer Flassaders were still lit when two thieves entered the house of an old miserly neighbor. They stabbed him with a dagger and looted everything they could take, fleeing the scene with the weapon.
The Innocent Cloth Weaver
Meanwhile, a young cloth weaver, hearing his neighbor's cries, rushed to see what had happened. Upon reaching the apartment, he found the old man lying in a pool of blood and bent down to check if he was still alive. Unfortunately, it was too late. Shaken, the young man returned home, horrified by the scene, unable to sleep with the lights on.
The Crime Scene Discoveries
Later, the night patrol passing by noticed the old man's door open and entered, finding the man's lifeless body, the bloody scene, and a pair of cloth weaver's scissors, which must have fallen from the young man's apron as he tried to help. The light in the weaver's house was on at that exact moment, pointing to him as the suspect. Based on this evidence, he was sentenced to capital punishment.
A Miraculous Intervention
As he was being taken to the gallows at Pla de les Forques (now Pla de Palau), crying and pleading his innocence while walking down Carrer Montcada, the statue of the Virgin Mary atop the church's apse turned towards him with a compassionate look, locking eyes with the condemned man. This miracle caused an uproar, leading to his pardon. Other versions say that at that precise moment, the noose broke free (considered a divine intervention leading to acquittal). The replica of the sculpture still gazes towards Montcada Street, often unnoticed by the thousands of tourists and a few locals who pass by the Old Town, hardly aware of this story once fervently narrated by neighborhood elders to their grandchildren.
A Timeless Narrative
This legend, although not documented history, provides insights into the rich tapestry of cultural tales that shape Barcelona's artistic landscape. While many modern visitors and residents may overlook such stories, they remain an integral part of the region's heritage.
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