Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Pila bautismal

The small town of Samer developed around the Abbaye Saint-Wulmer (founded in 668) and so the Flemish name for the town is still Sint-Wulmaars. The abbey meanwhile is in ruins. Saint-Martin was erected within the 16th century. Inside is this baptismal font, dated to the 11th century. The font is damaged, but very unusual for that age.

A church existed here in 758. This church, dedicated to Mary, as well as the village were given to the Bishop of Piacenza by Lord Magnus in 789. The village stayed under the control of the Bishops for the next 430 years. This church got severely damaged by the earthquake in 1117. The rebuilding started soon after got completed in only five years. The consecration of the new building took place here in 1122. The interior was pretty dim, lit only by a few candles, but there was a slot machine. To my surprise the machine was a cheater. It did accept the coins - but refused to switch the light on. This church got severely damaged by the earthquake in 1117. The rebuilding started soon after got completed in only five years. The consecration of the new building took place here in 1122. The interior was pretty dim, lit only by a few candles, but there was a slot machine, offering 5 minutes of light for only 50 cents. To my surprise the machine was a cheater. It did accept the coins - but refused to switch the light on. Only around the giant baptismal font, that was probably used (full immersion?) already in the 8th century, the light was better. From the early years upto the time, when the "Canons Regular" moved in, this church was a "pieve", a parish church where people got baptised. Not all churches had that privilege.

The "Iglesia de Santa Maria" was built in the second half of the 12th century. From the little hill, the shoreline can be seen. The "Camino del Norte" (aka "Camino de la Costa"), the oldest known "camino" to Santiago de Compostela run along the northern coast, as moorish troops roamed the inland. Even in the 12th century, when this church was erected, this way was popular as the pilgrims could visit the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana. As the largest part of the "True Cross" (aka "Lignum Crucis") was venerated in that monastery, it had the privilege of perpetual indulgences. The "Iglesia de Santa Maria" is known for some extraordinary Romanesque carvings. Here is the wonderful medieval baptismal font, placed on two squatting lions, who are nibbling a man´s arm.