Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: head

Tassilo III, Duke of Bavaria, had founded a monastery in 782 on Herrenchiemsee, but mid of the 9th century the nuns moved to smaller island Frauenchimsee, where Louis the German, son of Louis the Pious and so Charlemagne´s grandson had founded a nunnery. His daughter Irmgard (of Chiemsee) was the first Abbess here in 857. During the Hungarian raids of the 10th century, the monastery got looted and severely damaged. The convent recovered and the buildings got repaired or rebuilt. Here is abbey church, a three-nave-basilica, erected probably after the Hungarian invasion, on Carolingian foundations within the 11th or 12th centu ry. The building stayed unchanged to 15th century, when Gothic and later Baroque elements were added. The architecture of the Romanesque portal is pretty unique, as the tympanum is "framed" by a very large and unusual structure. Gottfried Weber ("Die Romanik in Oberbayern") dates the "frame" into the 12th century, while the tympanum may be older, what would mean, that it was part of the Carolingian church. Today protected by iron bars is the base of the right pillar, forming the portal´s frame. While on the left was a huge lion´s head, here is the head of a bearded man. His mouth is wide open, he seems to scream of pain, as the pillar pierces his skull. This may indeed be an "echo" of the Hungarian raids. It was not unusual to display human heads on poles for scaring enemies. Here a head is displayed "below" a pole - and maybe the two heads on the pillar could be interpreted similar.

Tassilo III, Duke of Bavaria, had founded a monastery in 782 on Herrenchiemsee, but mid of the 9th century the nuns moved to smaller island Frauenchimsee, where Louis the German, son of Louis the Pious and so Charlemagne´s grandson had founded a nunnery. His daughter Irmgard (of Chiemsee) was the first Abbess here in 857. During the Hungarian raids of the 10th century, the monastery got looted and severely damaged. The convent recovered and the buildings got repaired or rebuilt. Here is abbey church, a three-nave-basilica, erected probably after the Hungarian invasion, on Carolingian foundations within the 11th or 12th century. The building stayed unchanged to 15th century, when Gothic and later Baroque elements were added. The architecture of the Romanesque portal is pretty unique, as the tympanum is "framed" by a very large and unusual structure. Gottfried Weber ("Die Romanik in Oberbayern") dates the "frame" into the 12th century, while the tympanum may be older, what would mean, that it was part of the Carolingian church. Here is a detail of the pillar head of the right side of that "frame". This is very similar to the left side: A tower on top and two heads with bulging eyes below.

Tassilo III, Duke of Bavaria, had founded a monastery in 782 on Herrenchiemsee, but mid of the 9th century the nuns moved to smaller island Frauenchimsee, where Louis the German, son of Louis the Pious and so Charlemagne´s grandson had founded a nunnery. His daughter Irmgard (of Chiemsee) was the first Abbess here in 857. During the Hungarian raids of the 10th century, the monastery got looted and severely damaged. The convent recovered and the buildings got repaired or rebuilt. Here is abbey church, a three-nave-basilica, erected probably after the Hungarian invasion, on Carolingian foundations within the 11th or 12th century. The building stayed unchanged to 15th century, when Gothic and later Baroque elements were added. The architecture of the Romanesque portal is pretty unique, as the tympanum is "framed" by a very large and unusual structure. Gottfried Weber ("Die Romanik in Oberbayern") dates the "frame" into the 12th century, while the tympanum may be older, what would mean, that it was part of the Carolingian church. Here are details of the pillar head of the left side of that "frame". On top a tower, similar to a large chess piece. Below two heads. An old, bearded man and a young one. Both with bulging eyes.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The church is known for the carvings. Some of them is really fantastic. A really breathtaking carving is just under this capital, decorated with a very symmetrical wave. There is a ring, going all around the pillar, consisting out of 21 human heads. All these 21 faces have a different look, a different facial expression. All have nimbuses, so to be seen here are 21 saints. The carving is so delicate, the composition is so perfect, that these faces seem to be younger, than the other carvings. The same impression, that I had, when I saw the huge figures sitting on the roof. But neither them, nor these are younger. This ring was carved probably before 1200. Even Robert Will was surprised. In "Alsace romane" (Éditions Zodiaque) he points out, that these are the romanesque originals - and not "copies" done later. The mastercarver, who did this chain of faces, choose the seize of the heads to create exactly 21 faces for the whole circle. I think he choose 21, as this is 7 multliplied by 3. 3 (God) plus 4 (world). = 7 God + World x God. = 21 Well, that´s not more than a meager theory! Or - maybe - his wife just had her 21. birthday. That would be another theory.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The church is known for the carvings. Some of them is really fantastic. The ring, going all around the pillar, is consisting out of 21 human heads. All these 21 faces have a different look, a different facial expression. All have nimbuses, so to be seen here are 21 saints. The carving is so delicate, the composition is so perfect, that these faces seem to be younger, than the other carvings. The same impression, that I had, when I saw the huge figures sitting on the roof. But neither them, nor these are younger. This ring was carved probably before 1200. Even Robert Will was surprised. In "Alsace romane" (Éditions Zodiaque) he points out, that these are the romanesque originals - and not "copies" done later. The mastercarver, who did this chain of faces, choose the seize of the heads to create exactly 21 faces for the whole circle. I think he choose 21, as this is 7 multliplied by 3. 3 (God) plus 4 (world). = 7 God + World x God. = 21 Well, that´s not more than a meager theory! Or - maybe - his wife just had her 21. birthday. That would be another theory.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1755 after a long fight for independence from Genoa the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. So most of the old churches are in the mountains and some of them are hard to find. Santa Maria Assunta is located in the hamlet Pieve, belonging to Canari. It was a single nave church (17m x 8.25m), erected in Pisan style, that was first mentioned in 1124. Probably a predessening church existed, as some carved stones are dated to the 10th century. They got reused here. The church got enlarged and remodeled in the 17th century, when lateral chapels were added. Along the outer walls of the nave are medaillons and corbels in that rough style, that is typical for Corsica. There are so many of them, - I "glued" six faces together.

Saint-Pierre of today is a fortified church dating back to the 12th century. It replaced a small chapel, that existed here since 989. The Romanesque facade got remodeled a couple of times over the centuries, but there are still many great carvings and sculptures. Along the nave are some capitals, created in the typical style saintongeais.

Saint-Pierre of today is a fortified church dating back to the 12th century. It replaced a small chapel, that existed here since 989. The Romanesque facade got remodeled a couple of times over the centuries, but there are still many great carvings and sculptures. The two tiers have virtues and vices (most are lost) and below are the twelve apostles with Mary in the center. Here all statues have lost their heads. I found the info, that the decapitation took place 1848, more than half a century after the Revolution. Strange! Here is one the head of a virtue, one of the very few, that survived the furor.

"Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul" is not mentioned in any written document before the 13th century. Most historians agree, that the church was built not earlier than in the first half of the 12th century. About a century later, the Romanesque transept and choir got demolished - and replaced by the large Gothic structure, seen here. The tower was erected within the 13th century. The church was added to the list of "monuments historique" already in 1862, but the restoration process started end of the 19th century. The church was added to the list of "monuments historique" already in 1862, but the restoration process started end of the 19th century. Of course a church like this needs perpetual care. The state of the portal is the result of a very soft stone, used by the carvers in the 12th century and a very long neglect. Most of the details, especially on the right side, are weathered away. This is from the left side. A large head with a tremendous hairdo, maybe a symbol for the sun. On the right a lion is squeezed in.

Audressein is a tiny village (pop ~120) in the foothills of the Pyrenees. One of the many old pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostella once followed the valley. When "Notre-Dame-de-Tramesaygues" was erected within the 14th century, there were still many pilgrims passing through here. As the confluence of two rivers is near the church "Tramesaygues" may mean "between waters". The porch of the church has three entries. Most of the walls are covered with frescoes. One depicts Saint James / Saint Jaques with the "coquille" on his hat. To his left side is a "campus stellae", what reminds the pilgrim that he is on his way to "San Tiago de Compostella".

Audressein is a tiny village (pop ~120) in the foothills of the Pyrenees. One of the many old pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostella once followed the valley. When "Notre-Dame-de-Tramesaygues" was erected within the 14th century, there were still many pilgrims passing through here. As the confluence of two rivers is near the church "Tramesaygues" may mean "between waters". The porch of the church has three entries. Black faces flank the main portal on either side.

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. 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. There are many capitals decorated with heads. This one got obviously repaired.

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. 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. There are many capitals decorated with heads.

"Santa María la Real" is one of the highlights for all people following the "Camino Aragonés" - since about 800 years. The facade is impressing it may take hours, to find out the many details. I stayed an extra day, when I had reached the town, just to see the shadows movig over the carvings. A church did exist here already in 1131 next to the bridge crossing the river Aragon. It was transferred by Alfonso I to the "Knights Hospitaller" (aka "Order of Saint John", later "Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta"). The apse is the oldest part of the structure and probably dates back to that time. The nave and the breathtaking Southern Portal of Santa María la Real were created late 12th/13th century. I have uploaded a "total overview" earlier and will now focus on some details. Six large and slim figures flank the entrance doors. The three on the right side are men: Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Judas, who has a rope around his neck. The sculptures remind on some, that can be found on early gothic cathedrals in France (eg Chartres). The three slim statues on the left are even more elaborated and elegant. Here are the "three Marys" - Mary Magdalene , Virgin Mary and Mary Clopas (mother of St. James). Here is the wonderful, crowned head of Virgin Mary. It looks like she is just contemplating about something. This is is a better and way more detailled work, than the bald head of Saint Paul on the opposite side.