Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Somme

Standing on a little square, just behind the cathedral. When Pope Urban II (who was born 1025 in nearby Châtillon-sur-Marne) preached the first crusade on the Council of Clermont (1095), he was strongly supported by Pierre d’Amiens (aka "Peter the Hermit"). He is to be seen left. In the background is the Tour Perret, France´s first skyscraper. Architect Auguste Perret built this tower in the 1950s and for some time it was the highest building in Western Europe. Including the cube on top, that was added recently, it is 110 meters high.

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288. Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³ The choir, a flock of gargoyles and the crossing tower, that was added within the 16th century. It is 112m high!

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288. Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³ The baptismal font looks older than the cathedral and may have been used as an altar / mensa in the predecessor church. Here is a detail.

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288. Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³ Standing in the nave - the vaulting above...

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288. Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³ Standing in the nave, facing east to the choir.

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288. Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³ The western facade is dotted with 118 bas-relief medallions. This one depicts the "Flight to Egypt". Thanks to "tereliyesajjan", I found this impressive and highly interesting websites: www.medievalart.org.uk/Amiens/Amiens_default.htm

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288. Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³ The western facade is dotted with lots of bas-relief medallions. Here are two of them. To the left the "Dream of the Magi", to the right the Magi in a ship. I have never seen them sailing, all icons I saw so far, they were riding horses. Thanks to "tereliyesajjan", I found this impressive and highly interesting websites: www.medievalart.org.uk/Amiens/Amiens_default.htm

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288. Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³ The western facade is dotted with 118 bas-relief medallions. This one looks "heraldic" to me, but I don't know, what the hedgehog and the bird stand for. I hope you know - and can tell me..

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288. Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³ Back to the western facade od the cathedral. The base of the central trumeau is decorated with three scenes from the story of Adam and Eve. The creation of Eve, accepting the apple from a snake (with a human head), working hard on the field, after the expulsion from Eden.

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288. Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³ The sweet smiling "Golden Virgin", the trumeau/center of the "Portal of the golden Virgin" ("Portail de la Vierge Dorée"), seen on the previous upload.

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288. Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³ The west front was built from 1220 to 1236, actually the building process started here, what is unusual. This is the center portal with it´s vast deep porch. The tympanum themes the Last Judgment and has a nice psichostasia, over the trumeau statue. There are eight archivolts. Eighteen over life size jamb statues flank the entrance. During a cleaning process in the 1990s, it was discovered that the facade was originally painted in multiple colours. Standing in front of the trumeau statue - looking up at the archivolts.

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288. Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³ The west front was built from 1220 to 1236, actually the building process started here, what is unusual. This is the center portal with it´s vast deep porch. The tympanum themes the Last Judgment and has a nice psichostasia, over the trumeau statue. There are eight archivolts. Eighteen over life size jamb statues flank the entrance. During a cleaning process in the 1990s, it was discovered that the facade was originally painted in multiple colours.

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288. Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³ The west front, seen here, was built from 1220 to 1236, actually the building process started here. There are three vast deep porches, capped with the gallery of twenty-two over lifesize kings. Above the kings is a large rose window. During a cleaning process in the 1990s, it was discovered that the facade was originally painted in multiple colours.

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288. Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³ The west front, seen here, was built from 1220 to 1236, actually the building process started here. There are three vast deep porches, capped with the gallery of twenty-two over lifesize kings. Above the kings is a large rose window. During a cleaning process in the 1990s, it was discovered that the facade was originally painted in multiple colours. The south tower was completed in 1366, the north one in 1406.

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288. Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³ The west front, seen here, was built from 1220 to 1236, actually the building process started here. There are three vast deep porches, capped with the gallery of twenty-two over lifesize kings. During a cleaning process in the 1990s, it was discovered that the facade was originally painted in multiple colours. The south tower was completed in 1366, the north (highner) one in 1406.

The valley of the river Somme is dotted with ponds. This area was owned by Queen Balthild (since 860 "Saint Balthild"), wife of Clovis II and mother of Chlothar III and Childeric II. Around 660, she founded a convent here, that became the nucleus of the town Corbie. The Abbey of Corbie grew really important in Carolingian times. Saint Adalard, one of Charlemagne's cousins, was abbot here.

Peronne is a small town, situated in the Somme, a department of Northern France, that was the site of a series of battles during World War I. In 1916 the "Battle of the Somme", in which more than 1,000,000 men were wounded or killed, was fought in this area. Saint-Jean-Baptiste was built in flamboyant Gothic style and got consecrated in 1525. During the Franco-Prussian War (1870/71) the structure got severely damaged by Prussian Fire. It got reconstructed after the war. The church was taken over by the German army in October 1914 and a machine gun was installed on top of the tower. Four years later the church was in ruins, only the facade was still intact. It took decades to rebuilt Saint-Jean-Baptiste.