Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: shell

The Cahors Cathedral was erected between 1080 and 1135. It got consecrated by Pope Calixtus II in 1119. The same pope, who two years later could imprison his rival "Antipope" Gregory VIII. Four years later, Calixtus ended the Investiture Controversy by agreeing with Emperor Henry V on the Concordat of Worms. During the times of medieval pilgrimage this cathedral was an important place on the "Via Podiensis", as the "Sainte Coiffe" could be venerated here. This "Holy Headdress" was believed to have been used during Jesus' burial. It had been given to Aymatus, Bishop of Cahors, by Charlemagne. A relic similar to the "Shroud of Turin". While inside the cathedral all carvings got vandalized by iconoclastic fanatics during the Wars of Religion, the carvings here got spared out. The most prominent features are probably the two domes, seen here fro the cloister, that was added in 1504. While inside the cathedral all carvings got vandalized by iconoclastic fanatics during the Wars of Religion, the carvings here got spared out. So this pilgrim wearing the shell on his hat survived. He receives a piece of bread from a generous person.

The very last signpost, before I reached Portiers. Just below the the "Coquille St. Jacques" an unknown person, named "Theo", had left the note "Je ne suis pas un être mais une existence".

Having passed a golf course, the Roman road I was on, crossed the D82. The center of Saint-Cyr is to the right, but I continue straight ahead. The "Coquille St. Jacques" tells me, that I am on the right way.

Châtellerault has been a halt for the pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela from the very beginning - and of course they all of them stopped at this church to pray. The construction of the church started in 1008 on the ruins of the chapel of an even older Saint-Jacques priory. In the heydays of the pilgrimage numerous hospices, inns and "auberges", all centered around this church, offered their services. This large, wooden statue of Saint Jacques is placed on a side aisle of the church. When it was carved within the 17th century, these heydays were already long ago.

Crossing the Creuse, I left the region "Centre-Val de Loire" and entered "Poitou-Charentes". According to my map the village was named "Port-de-Piles", but the creator of this large board had shortened the name to "Port-de-Pile".

Here the Via Turonensis leaves Sorigny and turns left. Somebody created this very encouraging decoration for the "pelerins".

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".

The abbey, dedicated to Saint Magloire of Dol, a Welsh monk who became Bishop of Dol-de-Bretagne and ended his life on the island of Sark (~575). The abbey was founded in the 9th century with a strong support of Nominoë, the legendary first Duke of Brittany. In 910, the Vikings raid the area and loot and destroy the monastery. The monks had left already. They transferred the relics of Saint-Magloire to Paris, where they founded a new Abbaye Saint-Magloire. The monks returned to Léhon and started to rebuilt from 1008 on. The abbey flourished, but was dependent from the Abbaye de Marmoutier (Tours), what caused trouble with all bishops around. In 1767 the last six monks left. The crumbling buildings were sold after the French Revolution and the church now serves the parish. Some of the formerly conventual buildings, around the old cloister, are used as the mayor´s office. The museum was closed, so the young lady, having a "Coquille Saint-Jacques" attached to her backpack, continued the long walk to Santiago de Compostela, about 1400 kms from Léhon. Ultreia!!

The GR653 (aka "Via Tolosana") passes though areas, where cattle, sheep and even horses roam pretty free. There are gates for the walkers open - and close. This one was probably done by the same artisan, who had created the iron gate for the cementery in Jouers. He really liked the pilgrims!

I had left the main road and approached Accous in the early morning. Passing through Jouers, I found in the center of the hamlet, the small chapel "Saint-Saturnin" and an old graveyard. Leaving the graveyard, I noticed, that the artisan, who had created the iron gate, sympathized with pilgrims.

Somebody made quite an effort to give the pilgrims a bright smile! The "chemin" turns right here. The sign tells, that to Lacommande may take 1h35, to reach Oloron-Ste-Marie will take 6.00h. The "Via Tolosana" runs through the vineyards of the "Domaine de Cinquau". The white wines of the Jurançon (AOC) are produced here.

During the heat, under such difficult circumstances I described on the previous upload, shadow can be a real treat. A bench, placed in the shadow, where you can rest a while and drink some water - is heaven. Especially, when, like here, the bench is in deed dedicated to the weary pilgrim.