La Soledad (The Loneliness)

Franciscan Brotherhood of the Holy Sacrament and Brotherhood of Nazarenes of the Holy Cross on Mount Calvary and Holy Mary of Loneliness.

HISTORY.
It was founded in the central Parish of San Miguel around 1975, and it was transfered to the Parish of Santiago a year later. Its first processional parade took place in 1978; but, after the fire in the parish in 1979, it was taken to the convent of Santa Cruz, and to San Pedro for a few years. After the latter was closed, it went back to Santa Cruzuntil 1991.

TEMPLE.
Parish of Santiago Apóstol. One of the 14 royal foundations by Fernando III when he reconquered Córdoba in 1236. With the passage of time, and due to the great fire at the end of the 20th century, the current church got back part of the appearance of the medieval temple commissioned by the Holy King, dedicated to Saint James Apostle, whose characteristic cross can be seen on the parish crest for years. It has one of the most beautiful façades and belfries of the time, but they are hidden by the winding streets around the temple. The Virgen de la Soledad (Virgin of Loneliness) can be intimately seen in the Chapel of the Tabernacle.

THE IMAGES.
María Santísima de la Soledad (Holy Mary of Loneliness) – [PHOTO #1; #2]
The image of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (Holy Mary of Loneliness) was made by sculptor from Seville Luis Álvarez Duarte in 1975.
Only her head and hands are carved, and it suffered some damage due to the fire in the Church of Santiagoin 1979. Duarte himself restored the sculpture and used a darker polychromy.
Instead of representing a young suffering Virgin, as was frequent in the current schemes, Duarte sculpted a mature woman with very marked features, such as her cheeks and chin. Her eyes, reddened by the pain and anguish suffered, are unable to shed more than two tears that fall down her delicate cheeks. Her very curved eyebrows, together with her frowned brow, make her an image that transmits a great dramatic feeling.
She appears on her own on procession, her two hands holding her son’s crown of thorns, while a rosary hangs from her left arm. Behind her, we can see the Holy Cross on Mount Calvary, empty, after having descended the Lord’s lifeless body. A beautiful white veil with laces hangs from the Cross.

NAZARENE HABIT.
Brown tunic and face-coverer and Franciscan cincture.

IMPORTANT INSIGNIAS.
 Wooden and silversmithing Guiding Cross by Villareal (1990).
 Bronze mahogany candlesticks and pole, designed by Rafael de Rueda.