Misteriy of Obanos (English version)

The religious play called “Misterio de Obanos” relates a 14th century legend in which the main characters are the son and the daughter of the Duke of Aquitaine. The play is narrated by the Knight, the Dame

and the Monk.

In the year 813, the tomb of St Jaques the Apostle was discovered in Galicia, in a place that was later called Santiago de Compostela. This fact was of great

importance in medieval Europe, so much in need of religious stimuli.

From the on, the progress of believers has been constant, people of all ages and backgrounds from all Europe have peregrinated to what came to be

known as “El Camino de Santiago”. The first part of the play recreates the passing of the pilgrims.

The play takes place on the village square, evidencing the ways coming from Roncesvalles and Somport. People coming from both paths come together in Obanos and continue the jouney

on a unique way towards Santiago.

During the play, various characters cross the scene, some are real and others are fictional; some only pass through and others stop to tell their reasons to peregrinate

or simply to tell their experiencies.

Around 300 and 400 extras act in the play. They are mostly locals who sometimes play more than one role.

Noblemen, Penitents and Knights pass in succession.

More than 1100 period costumes are used. They are copies of medieval costumes which were drawn out of some pictures in the Vatican Museums and other sources. They were mostly

sawn by local women.

But not only pilgrims got to the Peninsula but there also emerged coming from the center of Europe new ideas, commerce and refinement, and most of all the Romanesque art, which

influenced the construction of buildings that mark out the route.

The bishop of Patras fell ill on the way to Santiago and died in Estella, where he was buried.

Clergymen, Nuns and Saints also take the route.

One day Princess Felicia of Aquitania travelled to Santiago following a family tradition.

The first part of the play ends with the pilgrims going back to their homes after venerating the Apostle in his tomb.

The cortege that had accompanied Princess Felicia return from Santiago without her. She had decided to serve God, abandoning her condition and her wealth.

The Princess chooses to remain in a farmhouse in Amocain, Navarre, where she led a humble life of work and sacrifice.

Once the cortege arrives in Aquitaine, the news that the Princess has changed her former life of luxury and commodities for a life of service do not please her brother, who takes the way

to bring her back home.

Although her brother Guillén tries to convince her to return to Court in Aquitania, she refuses to do so.

Guillén is beside himself.

The heir of the Duke of Aquitania kills his brother.

The moment he realizes what he has done, Guillén decides to peregrinate to Santiago de Compostela to ask the Apostle´s forgiveness.

When making his way back, he reaches the hermitage of Arnotegui, where he decides to remain for the rest of his life in the service of the hermitage and the pilgrims to

Santiago.

Felicia is buried and from her grave sprouts a white carnation. This is understood to be a sign of her sanctity and the religious authorities decide to set her coffin on a she-ass and bury her

where the animal stops.

A blind man´s guide tells the final part of the story.

The animal reaches the village of Labiano and stops. The incorrupt corpse of Saint Felicia is still venerated in this small town in Navarra.

The play ends with a public act of contrition form Guillén.