Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Saint-Maurice

Epinal, located on the Moselle River, celebrated the "millennium" of existence in 1983, but the year 983 is a bit mythical. It is known, that Dietrich I, the Bishop of Metz, had a castle and monastery built to protect the south of his holdings, which was being attacked by Burgundian marauders. At that time the city of Remiremont (about 30kms south) was Burgundian. The bishop donated to the monastery the relics of Saint Goëry. The relics have been the subject of numerous pilgrimages that have contributed to the economic development of the city. The church and the monastery were consecrated in honor of Saint Maurice and Saint Goëry. The church of today was erected within the 12th and 13th century. The massive western tower dates to the 12th century. The portal is neo-Romanesque from 1843.

Epinal was founded end of the 10th century by Dietrich I, Bishop of Metz (cousin of Emperor Otto I). A church will have existed here, that mid of the 11th century got replaced by a Romanesque structure, consecrated by Pope Leo IX, who was born in the near Alsace. This church probably had the same dimensions as the building today as some walls of the nave can be traced back to that church. The polychrome "Mise au tombeau" (Burial of Jesus) was created end of the 15th century by an unkonwn artist.

Epinal was founded end of the 10th century by Dietrich I, Bishop of Metz (cousin of Emperor Otto I). A church will have existed here, that mid of the 11th century got replaced by a Romanesque structure, consecrated by Pope Leo IX, who was born in the near Alsace. This church probably had the same dimensions as the building today as some walls of the nave can be traced back to that church. The choir was completed end of the 13th century. At that time the nave was probably vaulted.

Epinal was founded end of the 10th century by Dietrich I, Bishop of Metz (cousin of Emperor Otto I). A church will have existed here, that mid of the 11th century got replaced by a Romanesque structure, consecrated by Pope Leo IX, who was born in the near Alsace. This church probably had the same dimensions as the building today as some walls of the nave can be traced back to that church. A convent once adjoint the church to the south. The nuns could enter the church through a particular portal from the cloister. The parishioners entered the church through this portal, called "Portail des Bourgeois". It was decorated with statues once and had a carved tympanum. All was lost in 1793, when stirred up revolutionists raided the church. Iconoclastic waves rolled all over France just after the Revolution. In the center, between the doors, is a statue of the "Madonna and Child" from the 13th century. There are still traces of colours.

Epinal was founded end of the 10th century by Dietrich I, Bishop of Metz (cousin of Emperor Otto I). A church will have existed here, that mid of the 11th century got replaced by a Romanesque structure, consecrated by Pope Leo IX, who was born in the near Alsace. This church probably had the same dimensions as the building today as some walls of the nave can be traced back to that church. A convent once adjoint the church to the south. The nuns could enter the church through a particular portal from the cloister. The parishioners entered the church through this portal, called "Portail des Bourgeois". It was decorated with statues once and had a carved tympanum. All was lost in 1793, when stirred up revolutionists raided the church. Iconoclastic waves rolled all over France just after the Revolution. In the center, between the doors, is a statue of the "Madonna and Child" from the 13th century. There are still traces of colours.

Epinal was founded end of the 10th century by Dietrich I, Bishop of Metz (cousin of Emperor Otto I). A church will have existed here, that mid of the 11th century got replaced by a Romanesque structure, consecrated by Pope Leo IX, who was born in the near Alsace. This church had probably the same dimensions as the building today as some walls of the nave can be traced back to that church. The church of today was erected within the 12th and 13th century. The massive western tower dates to the 12th century. The portal is neo-Romanesque from 1843.

As this place has a strategic value securing the road to the upper part of the Rhône valley, that continued from there on via the St. Bernard Pass to Italy, a Roman outpost named Agaunum existed here. The best known Roman legion ever been here, was the Theban Legion, that later got known as the "Martyrs of Agaunum". Following a stiry written down by afflatus of Eucherius, Bishop of Lyon, around 430, the Legion was commanded by Maurice (Mauritius), Candidus, Innocent and Exuperius. Since the Legion had refused to sacrifice to the Emperor Diocletian orders were given to "decimate" the legion by putting to death a tenth of its men. This act was repeated until none were left. Bodies identified as the "martyrs of Agaunum" had been discovered here and a basilica was built in their honor. An abbey was founded in the early 6th century on land donated by King Sigismund of Burgundy. This was a very popular place for pilgrims until Otto I ("Otto the Great") in 961 "translated" the relics of Saint Maurice to Magdeburg, where Otto founded a bishopric soon after. The relics still are in the Magdeburg Cathedral, near the tomb of Otto I and his wife Eadgyth. The abbey survived the loss - and is still existing. With a history of 1500 years it may be the oldest existing convent in mid Europe. As the abbey´s church was built under a cliff, the building got frequently damaged by rockfalls, the last of such events happed in 1942 and damaged the tower. Most, what is seen today, dates to the 17th and early 18th century.

As this place has a strategic value securing the road to the upper part of the Rhône valley, that continued from there on via the St. Bernard Pass to Italy, a Roman outpost named Agaunum existed here. The best known Roman legion ever been here, was the Theban Legion, that later got known as the "Martyrs of Agaunum". Following a stiry written down by afflatus of Eucherius, Bishop of Lyon, around 430, the Legion was commanded by Maurice (Mauritius), Candidus, Innocent and Exuperius. Since the Legion had refused to sacrifice to the Emperor Diocletian orders were given to "decimate" the legion by putting to death a tenth of its men. This act was repeated until none were left. Bodies identified as the "martyrs of Agaunum" had been discovered here and a basilica was built in their honor. An abbey was founded in the early 6th century on land donated by King Sigismund of Burgundy. This was a very popular place for pilgrims until Otto I ("Otto the Great") in 961 "translated" the relics of Saint Maurice to Magdeburg, where Otto founded a bishopric soon after. The relics still are in the Magdeburg Cathedral, near the tomb of Otto I and his wife Eadgyth. The abbey survived the loss - and is still existing. With a history of 1500 years it may be the oldest existing convent in mid Europe.

The western facade of Saint-Maurice in Vicq. This church was built over an old Christian sanctuary, dating back to the 5th century. There is a crypt below the choir with merovingian and carolingian tombs. - It looked very promising, when I approached the portal of the church. Obviously the door was open, but - there is a second door, that one was locked. Yes, the spire of the church - is cut!