Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: galley

Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, is located about 100 km south of the Peloponnese. Crete was the center of Europe's first advanced civilization, the Minoans, from 3000 to 1400 BC. The Minoan civilization was overrun by the Mycenaean civilization from mainland Greece. Crete was later ruled by Rome, then successively by the Byzantine Empire, Andalusian Arabs, the Byzantine Empire again, the Venetian Republic, and the Ottoman Empire. In 1898 Crete, whose people had for some time wanted to join the Greek state, achieved independence from the Ottomans, formally becoming the Cretan State. Crete became part of Greece in December 1913. Heraklion is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete. With a municipal population of about 180.000 it is the fourth largest city in Greece. The greater area of Heraklion has been continuously inhabited since at least 7000 BCE, making it one of the oldest inhabited regions in Europe. As a major center of the Minoan civilization it often considered Europe's oldest city. The term "Neoria" hails from ancient Greek and translates to dockyard or arsenal. The tunnels once housed and serviced Venetian galleys. These dockyards were pivotal for storing, constructing, and repairing their naval fleet. The surviving structures represent the remnants of arsenals, as some parts were unfortunately demolished during road construction. Each dome within the Neoria complex served a specific purpose for the galleys.

The "Abbaye de Montmajour" was a really important abbey in medieval times. Founded around 1000 on an island like hill surrounded by swamps and marshes just outside of Arles. Already since 1030 pilgrims walked to Montmajour to see a part of the "True Cross" and so obtaining the "Pardon de Montmajour". The abbey was secularized already in 1786 (by Louis XVI), after the revolution it was sold to different owners. Today it is a massive ruin, used as a quarry over decades in the 19th century. Many stones were used to build the channels in Arles. Over long periods the abbey was an empty complex of crumbling buildings. So traces of vandalism are widely spread. But maybe the many graffitis are not pure vandalism. There are about 70 different ships carved into the western wall of the cloister. "Fragile" galleys, shown with sails and rudders. This type of ships was used from antique times to the 17th century. They may have carved into the walls, when during the Hundred Years’ War or Religious Wars there were times, when no monks lived here. I found sources dating them back into the 13th century. It is believed, that these graffitis were carved in by sailors here, to ensure a special blessing for the ships. By the way, a graffiti of a more modern (steam!) ship is to be seen on the nearby Alyscamps in Arles: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/4995573939/

The "Abbaye de Montmajour" was a really important abbey in medieval times. Founded around 1000 on an island like hill surrounded by swamps and marshes just outside of Arles. Already since 1030 pilgrims walked to Montmajour to see a part of the "True Cross" and so obtaining the "Pardon de Montmajour". The abbey was secularized already in 1786 (by Louis XVI), after the revolution it was sold to different owners. Today it is a massive ruin, used as a quarry over decades in the 19th century. Many stones were used to build the channels in Arles. Over long periods the abbey was an empty complex of crumbling buildings. So traces of vandalism are widely spread. But maybe the many graffitis are not pure vandalism. There are about 70 different ships carved into the western wall of the cloister. "Fragile" galleys, shown with sails and rudders. This type of ships was used from antique times to the 17th century. They may have carved into the walls, when during the Hundred Years’ War or Religious Wars there were times, when no monks lived here.I found sources dating them back even into the 13th century. It is believed, that these graffitis were carved in by sailors here, to ensure a special blessing for the ships. By the way, a graffiti of a way more modern steam ship is to be seen on the nearby Alyscamps in Arles: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/4995573939/