Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: shrine

A settlement developed around a Roman miltary camp, built up 16BC and named "Novaesium". Where the church is now was a Roman graveyard in the early times. When the Normans raided Neuss in 866 a convent existed already in Neuss. A church is mentioned here in 1043, legends tell, that Abbess Gepa, the sister of Pope Leo IX, brought the relics of Saint Quirinus (now "Saint Quirinus of Neuss") a 2nd century-martyr, from Rome to Neuss, what brought pilgrims to the growing town. The monastery, now under the patronage of Saint Quirinus, was a house of noble canonesses mid 12th century. The construction of today´s church started in 1209 in late Romanesque style. There was clear influence from nearby Cologne, as just like the older St. Maria im Kapitol ("St. Mary in the Capitol") this church has a trefoil choir ("triconchos"). The church was completed already in 1230 - and then the tower grew up to nearly 100 metres. In 1741, the church was badly damaged by lightning and The gothic helmets of the west and east towers over the crossing. Instead, the building got a Baroque dome with the statue of Quirinus and a flat pyramid roof on the main tower. After the French Revolution the church goot looted and then served as a storage room. The monastery buildings were demolished at that time. In 1944 the church got damaged by a bomb attack. Meanwhile the building is in good condition. The golden shrine holding the relics of Saint Quirinus was created in the 19th century. It replaced one, that mow is kept in the museum. Since 2009 the Quirinus-Münster is a "Basilica minor". The symbol for this honor is the umbraculum, the umbrella behind the shrine.

A convent for the daughters of the regional nobility was founded during Carolingian times. This convent was the second oldest in Westphalia, only Herford is older. It had strong connections to the House of Werl-Arnsberg, that within the first half of the 9th century may have lived here in a hill fort. The remains of that fort can still be seen here today. Due to the efforts of the high ranking abesses, the convent prospered. With the support of Conrad I, relics of Saint Walburga (sister of St. Wunibald and St. Willibald) were transferred to Meschede. The convent had properties all over Westphalia. Otto I granted the right to hold markets, so a settlement around the convent grew up. In the early 11th century, the convent was wealthy enough, to commision an illuminated Evangeliary. The well known "Hitda Codex" (named after abess Hitda) is now in the Hessian State Library in Darmstadt. The romanesque church got severely damaged by fire in 1620 - and a new church was completed in 1664. The church was erected on the foundations of the pre-romanesque church. The crypt under the choir is a remaining part of the romanesque church. Some parts may be even older than that. The relics of Saint Walburga have been displayed here - and and ambulatory run around in early times, so obviously pilgrims may have been here. During restauration an empty ritual tomb was found. The shrine containing the relics of St. Walburga got lost in the turmoil the Thirty Years' War. But, due to the generosity of some other church owning Walburga-relics, a small shrine is back in the crypt since 1980 - and can be seen here.

The official name if this church is "Basilika St. Marcellinus and Petrus" but very often it is called Einhardbasilika, just like the barn-like building I had just visited near Michelstadt, two days ago. I had not planned to visit Seligenstadt, but as Einhard had caught my attention, I decided to do this detour. Einhard a political adviser for Charlemagne, private secretary of Charles´ son Louis the Pious, had decided to found an abbey near Michelstadt, where a property was given to him by Louis. Einhard had sent his servant Ratleik to Rome, who then abstracted two holy relics from the catacombs: Saint Marcellinus and Saint Peter (aka "Petrus Exorcista" = Peter, the exorcist). After their arrival in Michelstadt, the relics signaled, that they did not like the place at all. So Einhard moved the relics to a place he owned 50kms further north named Mulinheim, where he again founded a monastery, and had a large basilica built (~ 830). Saint Marcellinus and Saint Peter liked the new place - and the town changed it´s name to Seligenstadt (= "Blessed Ones’ Town"). The abbey in Seligenstadt flourished, as well as the settlement. Frederick I Barbarossa granted town privileges and had a palace built here. During the Thirty Years' War contributions had to be paid to the Swedish crown, what did not prevent the troops from looting the town and the abbey. The abbey got dissolved in 1803, the church serves as a parish church since 1812. Facing east to the choir. The relics of Saint Marcellinus and Saint Peter are in the golden shrine, seen here. Above is a Romanesque crucifix, probably the oldest work of art in the basilica. It unfortunately got "repaired" by a local pastor in 1907. He heavily modified arms and feet, added the crown - and painted it in nice colours.

Looking back into the nave from the center of the choir. In the middle of the choir, on two columns is the shrine, containing the relics of of St. Philibert. Three different architectural parts are visible, all different is style. The choir, where all pillars end in phantastic carved capitals. The very high crossing, as the church forms a latin cross, and the nave behind, that seems so airy and sober.

Louis the Pious (aka "Louis I the Fair)", King of Aquitaine, the only surviving adult son of Charlemagne, had a castle here. When in 898, the monks of Saint-Maixent (Poitou) fled the norman invasion, they found shelter in that castle. With them they had carried the relics of Saint-Leger and Saint Maixent, being probably the most valuable possesion they had. The castle was given to the monks by Louis´son, opponent and successor Lothair and transformed into a monastery. Between the 10th and the 13th century, the very large abbey church was erected. Through the pilgrimage to the valuable relics, that were on display here, the abbey got pretty important in medieval times. Times changed over the centuries. In 1744 "Abbe Sade", uncle of the Marquis de Sade got this abbey as a prebendary. The abbey was financially ruined. Already in 1768, years before the Revolution, the abbey was given up and old buildings were used as a hospital. Behind the altar, in the center of the gothic choir is the shrine holding the relics of Saint-Léger.

Legends tell, that here, near a holy spring, Gallic druids met to worship a pagan wooden statue of a woman, when Dionysius of Paris (aka "Saint Denis") and his disciple Saint Yon christianized the area in the 3rd century. Dionysius discovered that the pagan idol in deed was a statue of the virgin ("virginia partitura"). This was a place of pilgrimage since very early times, being the oldest place of Marian devotion of Ile-de-France. Local nobility founded a convent in 1031 and added this as a priory to the Cluny-network around 1060. The convent went through very difficult times, but managed to exist up to the French Revolution. The property then got confiscated and was finally sold to a Swiss investor. The church, now serving the parish, was ruined. The old, unstable tower got demolished in 1794. During the early 19th century, the civil authorities warned people to enter the ruined church, that was ready for demolition. There were plans about replacing the ruin by a new, smaller building. Finally, after decades long discussions about financing, only parts of the church got demolished and the rebuilding process started in the second half of the century. For a long time, the convent, being a place of pilgrimage, was known for the many relics that could be worshipped here. After the raids of French Revolution most valuable shrines were lost, as they got melted down. Here are some new reliquaries, produced in the 19th century.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. The head of one of the 24 Elders of the Apocalypse. The light inside the choir was a bit dim already and I had used a new LED-light (see the previous uploads) here, as I hate flashlights in churches. But here the LED gives a rather blueish light - not very pretty. It was an experiment. I am open for any suggestions..

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. The center of the northern side. The 12 Elders of the Apocalypse here add to the 12 of the of the opposite side to 24. In the center a mandorla around Virgin and Child. The child is standing on his mother´s knee, both hold small scepters. The mandorla has two inscriptions. Left side MVNDI ⋮ FATOREM • GENITRIX • GERIT • (et) • GENIT/OREM • MATERNOS • Q(ue) • SINVS • SARCINAT • [HI]C • DOMINVS ⋮ Right side AD • COLLVM • MAT(r)IS • PENDET • SAPIENTIA • PATRIS ⋮ ME • XPI • MATREM • PRODO • GERENDO • PAT(r)EM

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. To the left is the eastern/front side with Christ as a Pantocrator in a mandorla to the right the northern side. The 12 Elders of the Apocalypse here add to the 12 of the of the opposite side to 24. In the center a mandorla around Virgin and Child.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. The eastern/front side with Christ as a Pantocrator in a mandorla, with the symbols of the Evangelists in the four triangels. Christ wears a kind of toga and holds a large book (bible). His face seems a bit mutilated and his bare knees are covered by small carved graffiti. Above is a inspcription HIC IACET • CORP(us) • S(an)C(t)I • IVNIANI • IN • VASE • IN • Q(u)O • PRIVS • POSITVM • FVIT (Here is the body of Sanctus Juniani in the vessel in which it was buried first)

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. The southern side has 12 (of the 24) Elders of the Apocalypse, a Agnus Dei and the wooden door. Here are three of the Elders, holding vielles and "golden vials full of odours". To the right is a hinge of the wooden door. Note the "miniature architecture", even the capitals are nicely designed, one with a "pillar eater". Revelation 4:4 "Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads."

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in this large, precious shrine. This is the southern side of the shrine. Below the wooden door in an "Agnus Dei" in a round mandorla. The crowned men are 12 (of the 24) Elders of the Apocalypse, holding vielles and "golden vials full of odours". I will upload more details. Revelation 4:4 "Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads."

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in this large, precious shrine. The shrine was placed behind an altar. The left part of the shrine was integrated in that altar and so is artless.

Romans had been here during Hadrian´s time and where they had erected a temple, a small church got built mid 10th century. This structure got rebuilt and enlarged already within the 11th/12th century. Looted and damaged a century later, it got rebuilt, altered, enlarged, extended and strongly fortified. Within the structure, some parts of the 12th century structure survived the times. One of these is the apse. There are four capitals round the apse, three of them depict scenes around protomartyr Saint Stephen (Saint-Étienne), to whom the church is dedicated. After the relics of Saint-Stephen had been discovered in 415, the relics were placed in a shrine and then carried in a procession ("translatio") to Jerusalem. Another later translatio brought relics to Rome ("San Lorenzo fuori le mura"), but meanwhile relics are as well in Bourges, Sens, Metz, Passau, Halberstadt, Chalons sur Marne and maybe Lubersac.

The parish church of Vigois is the last structure of the former "Abbaye Saint-Pierre", founded here by Yrieix du Limousin (aka "St. Yriex", "Aredius") within the 6th century. So the "Abbaye Saint-Pierre" was one of the oldest convents within the Limousin. In the 9th century the Normans (Vikings) looted and ruined the abbey. After some decades, the abbey recovered and got rebuilt. In 1070 it burnt down. Since 1082 it was dependent from Cluniac Saint-Martial Abbey in Limoges and prospered during the 12th century. Destroyed again during the Hundred Years War, rebuilt again by the Bishop of Limoges. During the Wars of Religions Huguenot troops burnt down the nave of the church and vandalized many of the carvings. Another fire hit the church in 1705, when it fell into disrepair. All buildings of the convent got demolished after the French Revolution, only the Saint-Pierre, now the parish church, survived the times. The renovation of the nave was completed in the 1860s. Apse and crossing, seen here, got restored early 20th century. The large apse never got severely damaged. Only some carvings are mutilated, but most of the capitals, dating back to the 12th-century, are still in situ. Depicted here may be a medieval "translation". A large reliquary, containing the holy relics, is carried through the gate into a town, where the shrine is welcomed by Christ (cross nimbus) and a saint (nimbus).