“Some tombs keep their secrets closely guarded; others have been torn open by time, their coffins given up by destroyed windows and doors, buried in rubble.”

My journal, 10 December 2009

At Recoleta Cemetery, the doors are the dividing line. Those of solid bronze permit no view at all, a silent shout of “Private. Do not enter.” Others scream “Look at me”, with panels of clear glass giving an unobstructed display. For yet others, the years have stepped in and stripped away what may have separated the interior from passers-by. And somewhere in between are those that present a flirtatious glimpse of what’s inside, with their entrances of ornate openwork metal.

This golden vista lies behind such a door. What treasure for inquisitive eyes! In an interesting twist, the silvery doors of the opposite tomb are projected on to the scene, the Greek key design linking the two statues, and the lattice neatly intersecting the torso of the larger saint and framing the jewellery cross.

The smaller icon is the Virgin of Luján, the patron saint of Argentina, hence my title, Virgin of Luján & Greek key. More on her another time…