Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: St. Leonhard

Frankfurt (Frankfurt am Main) is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. The city is the heart of the larger Rhine-Main metropolitan region, which has a population of more than 5.8 million and is Germany's second-largest metropolitan region. Alemanni and Franks lived there, and by 794, Charlemagne presided over an imperial assembly and church synod, at which Franconofurd was first mentioned. It was one of the two capitals of Charlemagne's grandson Louis the German. Louis founded the collegiate church, rededicated in 1239 to Bartholomew the Apostle and now Frankfurt Cathedral. Frankfurt was one of the most important cities in the Holy Roman Empire. From 855, the German kings were elected and crowned in Aachen. From 1562, the kings and emperors were crowned and elected in Frankfurt. This tradition ended in 1792. The Frankfurter Messe ('Frankfurt Trade Fair') was first mentioned in 1150. Book trade fairs began in 1478. In 1372, Frankfurt became a Reichsstadt (Imperial Free City), directly subordinate to the Holy Roman Emperor and was the Free City of Frankfurt, for nearly five centuries. It lost its sovereignty upon the collapse of the empire in 1806, regained it in 1815 and then lost it again in 1866, when it was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia. In a (still existing) document from 1219, King Frederick II donated the property to the city. In addition, the citizens were given the right to appoint the priest. The church began as a Romanesque basilica, built in the center of the town. It was remodeled around 1425 with a late Gothic choir with stained-glass windows from 1435. The church was expanded to a hall church in late Gothic style with four aisles between 1508 and 1520. In 1792, French troops occupied the building, used it for storage, and sold much of its furniture. The church was the only one of nine churches in the Old Town that was almost completely undamaged during WW II.

Frankfurt (Frankfurt am Main) is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. The city is the heart of the larger Rhine-Main metropolitan region, which has a population of more than 5.8 million and is Germany's second-largest metropolitan region. Alemanni and Franks lived there, and by 794, Charlemagne presided over an imperial assembly and church synod, at which Franconofurd was first mentioned. It was one of the two capitals of Charlemagne's grandson Louis the German. Louis founded the collegiate church, rededicated in 1239 to Bartholomew the Apostle and now Frankfurt Cathedral. Frankfurt was one of the most important cities in the Holy Roman Empire. From 855, the German kings were elected and crowned in Aachen. From 1562, the kings and emperors were crowned and elected in Frankfurt. This tradition ended in 1792. The Frankfurter Messe ('Frankfurt Trade Fair') was first mentioned in 1150. Book trade fairs began in 1478. In 1372, Frankfurt became a Reichsstadt (Imperial Free City), directly subordinate to the Holy Roman Emperor and was the Free City of Frankfurt, for nearly five centuries. It lost its sovereignty upon the collapse of the empire in 1806, regained it in 1815 and then lost it again in 1866, when it was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia. In a (still existing) document from 1219, King Frederick II donated the property to the city. In addition, the citizens were given the right to appoint the priest. The church began as a Romanesque basilica, built in the center of the town. It was remodeled around 1425 with a late Gothic choir with stained-glass windows from 1435. The church was expanded to a hall church in late Gothic style with four aisles between 1508 and 1520. In 1792, French troops occupied the building, used it for storage, and sold much of its furniture. The church was the only one of nine churches in the Old Town that was almost completely undamaged during WW II.

Frankfurt (Frankfurt am Main) is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. The city is the heart of the larger Rhine-Main metropolitan region, which has a population of more than 5.8 million and is Germany's second-largest metropolitan region. Alemanni and Franks lived there, and by 794, Charlemagne presided over an imperial assembly and church synod, at which Franconofurd was first mentioned. It was one of the two capitals of Charlemagne's grandson Louis the German. Louis founded the collegiate church, rededicated in 1239 to Bartholomew the Apostle and now Frankfurt Cathedral. Frankfurt was one of the most important cities in the Holy Roman Empire. From 855, the German kings were elected and crowned in Aachen. From 1562, the kings and emperors were crowned and elected in Frankfurt. This tradition ended in 1792. The Frankfurter Messe ('Frankfurt Trade Fair') was first mentioned in 1150. Book trade fairs began in 1478. In 1372, Frankfurt became a Reichsstadt (Imperial Free City), directly subordinate to the Holy Roman Emperor and was the Free City of Frankfurt, for nearly five centuries. It lost its sovereignty upon the collapse of the empire in 1806, regained it in 1815 and then lost it again in 1866, when it was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia. In a (still existing) document from 1219, King Frederick II donated the property to the city. In addition, the citizens were given the right to appoint the priest. The church began as a Romanesque basilica, built in the center of the town. It was remodeled around 1425 with a late Gothic choir with stained-glass windows from 1435. The church was expanded to a hall church in late Gothic style with four aisles between 1508 and 1520. In 1792, French troops occupied the building, used it for storage, and sold much of its furniture. The church was the only one of nine churches in the Old Town that was almost completely undamaged during WW II.

The medieval name of Pfoerring was "Faringa". The german word "Faehre" (= ferry) may be used here, as this was an important place, to cross over the river Danube in that times. Even Charlemagne cross the Danube here with his troops, before he punished his renegade cousin Tassilo III, Duke of Bavaria. The eastern part of St. Leonhard including the two (renovated) towers were built 1180/1200. The Romanesque naves burnt down and got rebuilt, remodeled and enlarged a couple of times during the centuries.

The medieval name of Pfoerring was "Faringa". The german word "Faehre" (= ferry) may be used here, as this was an important place, to cross over the river Danube in that times. Even Charlemagne cross the Danube here with his troops, before he punished his renegade cousin Tassilo III, Duke of Bavaria. The eastern part of St. Leonhartd including the two (renovated) towers were built 1180/1200. There is a speculation, that Pfoerringen may be the place, where Hagen slew the local ferryman, when he refused to support the Burgundians on their way to the palace of Etzel, Kriemhilds second husband. The Nibelungenlied tells this story - and in case Pfoerringen is the place mentioned, this carving from the apse may be a portray of Hagen. That may be a little too much speculation, as it was carved about 700 years after Hagen´s evil deed.

This small church was the chapel of the medieval castle, that today is completely lost. It was devoted to St. Laurentius over the the first centuries, but the devotion changed to St. Leonhard in the early 16th century. Since then it has served the hamlet as a parish church. A chain spans all around the nave. The chain is a symbol of St. Leonhard. As he is not only the patron saint for prisoners, but as well for horses, it may well be that the first chain was made from horseshoes, votive offerings left here after the horses were given a special St.Leonhard-blessing. The church was consecrated in 1190 by the Bishop of Regensburg, representing his collegue from Eichstaett, who was not available, being on the cruisade at that time. A frieze of 13 heads runs around the apse. What an elaborate work for such a small, rural church. The peasants around wondered about these carvings over the centuries and a legend was told, that a giant had built this church.

The small church was the chapel of the medieval castle, that today is completely lost. It was devoted to St. Laurentius over the the first centuries, but the devotion changed to St. Leonhard in the early 16th century. Since then it has served the hamlet as a parish church. A chain spans all around the nave. The chain is a symbol of St. Leonhard. As he is not only the patron saint for prisoners, but as well for horses, it may well be that the first chain was made from horseshoes, votive offerings left here after the horses were given a special St.Leonhard-blessing. The church was consecrated in 1190 by the Bishop of Regensburg, representing his collegue from Eichstaett, who was not available, being on the cruisade at that time. A frieze of 13 heads runs around the apse, a very elaborate work for a small, rural church. The peasants around wondered about these carvings over the centuries and a legend was told, that a giant had built this church. The tympanum of St. Leonhard. A blessing Jesus flanked by two men. As Jesus and both men hold books, the two may stand for two evangelists. The carving style is kind of "soft" and elegant for 1150/1170. In the archivolt above the tympanum are heads - and lions.

The small church was the chapel of the medieval castle, that today is completely lost. It was devoted to St. Laurentius over the the first centuries, but the devotion changed to St. Leonhard in the early 16th century. Since then it has served the hamlet as a parish church. A chain spans all around the nave. The chain is a symbol of St. Leonhard. As he is not only the patron saint for prisoners, but as well for horses, it may well be that the first chain was made from horseshoes, votive offerings left here after the horses were given a special St.Leonhard-blessing. The church was consecrated in 1190 by the Bishop of Regensburg, representing his collegue from Eichstaett, who was not available, being on the cruisade at that time. A frieze of 13 heads runs around the apse, a very elaborate work for a small, rural church. The peasants around wondered about these carvings over the centuries and a legend was told, that a giant had built this church. The decorations of all windows in Tholbath are extraordenary. There were two windows on the southern side of the church having these heads. The second window was bricked up later, but the head is still "in situ".

The small church was the chapel of the medieval castle, that today is completely lost. It was devoted to St. Laurentius over the the first centuries, but the devotion changed to St. Leonhard in the early 16th century. Since then it has served the hamlet as a parish church. A chain spans all around the nave. The chain is a symbol of St. Leonhard. As he is not only the patron saint for prisoners, but as well for horses, it may well be that the first chain was made from horseshoes, votive offerings left here after the horses were given a special St.Leonhard-blessing. The church was consecrated in 1190 by the Bishop of Regensburg, representing his collegue from Eichstaett, who was not available, being on the cruisade at that time. A frieze of 13 heads runs around the apse. What an elaborate work for such a small, rural church. The peasants around wondered about these carvings over the centuries and a legend was told, that a giant had built this church. Here are details: A hare - a tongue protruder - a bearded face

The small church was the chapel of the medieval castle, that today is completely lost. It was devoted to St. Laurentius over the the first centuries, but the devotion changed to St. Leonhard in the early 16th century. Since then it has served the hamlet as a parish church. A chain spans all around the nave. The chain is a symbol of St. Leonhard. As he is not only the patron saint for prisoners, but as well for horses, it may well be that the first chain was made from horseshoes, votive offerings left here after the horses were given a special St.Leonhard-blessing. The church was consecrated in 1190 by the Bishop of Regensburg, representing his collegue from Eichstaett, who was not available, being on the cruisade at that time. A frieze of 13 heads runs around the apse. What an elaborate work for such a small, rural church. The peasants around wondered about these carvings over the centuries and a legend was told, that a giant had built this church. Here are details: A lion devouring a man - a pig/boar - a seated man in an adorante-gestus with a large head, having a (beheaded?) head between his feet. G. Weber ("Romanik in Oberbayern") quotes "Oberbayerisches Archiv für vaterlaendische Geschichte" from 1866: "Lion´s head with child - Bear - Woman giving birth"

The small church was the chapel of the medieval castle, that today is completely lost. It was devoted to St. Laurentius over the the first centuries, but the devotion changed to St. Leonhard in the early 16th century. Since then it has served the hamlet as a parish church. A chain spans all around the nave. The chain is a symbol of St. Leonhard. As he is not only the patron saint for prisoners, but as well for horses, it may well be that the first chain was made from horseshoes, votive offerings left here after the horses were given a special St.Leonhard-blessing. The church was consecrated in 1190 by the Bishop of Regensburg, representing his collegue from Eichstaett, who was not available, being on the cruisade at that time. A frieze of 13 heads runs around the apse, a very elaborate work for a small, rural church. The peasants around wondered about these carvings over the centuries and a legend was told, that a giant had built this church. The portal of St. Leonhard. In the tympanum a blessing Jesus flanked by two men. As Jesus and both men hold books, the two may stand for two evangelists. The carving style is kind of "soft" and elegant for 1150/1170. In the archivolt above the tympanum are heads - and lions. The church is padlocked - and, as you can see from the blue/white symbol, under the "Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict" from 1956.