the 13th-century portico of paradise (pórtico del paraíso) was built by students of master mateo who is best known for his pórtico de la gloria in the cathedral of santiago de compostela. its three arches are supported by slender columns with a central mullion. the apostle st james or santiago holds a sword reminiscent of his alleged miraculous participation in the legendary battle of clavijo. the original 13th-century figure was replaced in the 19th century. the statue of the virgin of consolation (virgen del consuelo) with the body of christ which tops the mullion was also added in the 19th century. other decorations include christ being tempted by the devil, a medallion of god the father and a tabernacle presenting st martin tearing his cloak. the archivolts of the central arch bear the figures of the 24 elders from the book of revelation. the columns themselves are sculpted with apostles and prophets while the capitals present a variety of figures including christ's temptations in the desert, centaurs fighting mermaids, dragons and harpies with frightening faces who were said to have brought the plague. the vividly coloured pilaster figures were restored in the 18th century from the original romanesque polychrome. the two baroque side chapels contain a castro canseco altarpiece of the nursing madonna and a representation of san francisco blanco from ourense who was crucified in japan in 1597.