Spain, like many European countries, has plenty of cathedrals: vast, ornate monuments that dominate city centres and symbolize both the church’s power and its importance throughout the region’s history.

But how many have an astronaut in their delicately-carved stone?

For centuries, the university town of Salamanca has entertained students, children and visitors with a game of “spot the frog.” An immense sandstone carving guards the entrance to the Universidad Civil and legend has it that those who find the small (and weathered) frog among the heroes, legends and coats of arms will have good luck in the following year.

How to Find the Frog in Salamanca

By now, however, the poor frog looks considerably worse for wear.

A few streets away, a similar apricot-coloured carving graces the walls of the New Cathedral (after all, work only began on this one in 1513)

Take a closer look, however, because during 20th century restoration work, a new citizen appeared among the gargoyles…

The astronaut of Salamanca.