Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: moon

A legend tells, that Charlemagne personally founded a first monastery here, but there are so many places, who claim that... A small monastery existed here within the 9th century. As it was built close to the river Saalach, it was dedicated Saint Zeno, an early Christian Bishop of Verona and a patron saint against floods. In 1136 Konrad I von Abensberg, Archbishop of Salzburg, established Augustinian Canons here, well equipped with income from the salt (= hall) that was produced here. The construction of the three-nave-basilica took 80 years, it got consecrated in 1228. With a length of 80 meters, this was a huge structure. The church burnt down in 1512. When it got rebuilt, many Gothic elements were added (vaulting). Another fire destroyed great part in 1789, just before the monastery got secularized in 1803. Since then this is a parish church. There is an important cloister here, that even has a carving depicting Frederick I (Barbarossa). If you plan to visit Bad Reichenhall, inquire at the Tourist Office about it the opening hours. As the cloister now is part of a school, it is open for tourists only once or twice a week for an hour or two. I could not wait that long.. - The western portal from 1228 fortunately survived all fires and modernisations. Protected by a narthex, it is still on place and only little damaged. The damage seen, was not caused by vandalism, but by a stroke of lightning The lintel and the tympanum of the Romanesque portal. Madonna and Child n the center. Mary, seated on a throne, is holding the child on her knees with the left arm, while her the right hand holds an apple (?). They are flanked by St. Zeno (left) and St. Rupert (right). As these saints both had been bishops, both hold a crosiers. Around the group are arcades, which are encircled by stars (in black circles), sun and moon. In the first archivolt above (and out of symmetry) an Agnus Dei. The lintel below, carved in a different style, depicts tendrils, populated with mythic animals. The artistic style od these carvings is extraordenary, kind of soft and nothing similar can be found in the region. The artists were probably contractors from Northern Italy. Unfortunately this shot is pretty blurry. Sorry. I should go to Bad Reichenhall again - with a tripod.

The parish of Escurolles was given to Cluny in 953/054 by Ermengarde, (probably) the wife of Archambaud I de Bourbon, Seigneur de Bourbon (yes, this is where the illustrious name derived from). The church Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte was built 11th/12th century. It has a nave and two aisles. The church is known for some pretty archaic carvings. This capital is from the nave. There is a circel, centered by a cross. This may be just "meaningless" decoration, or as specific symbol. Sun? And then there is this very simple face on the corner, squeezed under the upper rim. If the circle stands for the full sun (with 14 sunrays), then this face could be is the waning moon. It is round - and so fascinating simple. There is even a small mouth. And why is the capital so empty all around? Did the sculpter not get a propper pay? Or is this the empty sky between sun and moon. Unfortunately I do not take a photo of the left side.... Zut!

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. Some are under the roof of the apse. One of them is this rude person. I have seen many such corbels meanwhile, along caminos and chemins. What does the person express, displaying his posterior? Or is this the "moon"? If this is an early form or kind of "mooning", he would express disrespect. At least two incidents are known from medieval times. - In 1204 during the siege of Constantinople the Greeks exposed their bare buttocks to the Crusaders after they repulsed them from the walls. - In 1346 during the Battle of Crécy Norman soldiers "exposed their backsides to the English archers and many of them paid a high price for doing so".