Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Virgin

Santa María de los Ángeles is located on top of a rocky promontory that dominates the entire town. It is next to the Castle , within the old town. Around it is a wall that surrounds the old town, in which the so-called "pilgrims' gate" can be distinguished, as this town is within the Northern Way or the Coast of the Jacobean routes. Its construction began in the 13th century, and continued throughout the following centuries with other additions. The main part of the church was completed in the 14th century. However, reforms began in the 15th century, with side chapels . Then, around 1530, the transept , the apse, the tower, the crypt and the high choir . The bell tower dates back to the end of the 19th century. The Virgin in the center of the altar

In the time of Alfonso IX , the settlement began to be formed thanks to the repopulation policy. In 1270, Alfonso X of Castile founded the current town by granting a town charter. From the 14th century onwards the town was named Villaviciosa meaning "fertile town." The church is erected in the late Romanesque style with some Gothic elements. The granting of the charter by Alfonso X meant a very substantial growth of the town that led to the construction of this church. The church had of course several modifications over the years. The main façade stands out from the outside, consisting of a pointed arch with four archivolts. Its keystone is decorated with an image of the Virgin Mary surrounded by Gothic-style tracery Virgin Mary

Oviedo was founded on a hill that the Romans called Ovetao. The monks Máximo and Fromestano founded a monastery on the Roman road in 761 and built a hermitage. Later, two dozen monks from the Muslim south joined the founders and, according to a document, chose Fromestano as their first abbot. They were under the protection of Fruela I, who chose the place as a residence for his wife Munia, who gave birth here to their son and later King Alfonso II. Alfonso II (aka "the Chaste", "el Casto" moved the capital here in 812 and made Oviedo the seat of the bishopric. In 912, however, Oviedo lost its function as capital to León under García I in the course of the reconquest. Alfonso II fortified Oviedo and furnished it with palaces and churches. During his reign, a tomb attributed to St James the Elder was discovered in Santiago de Compostela in 812. The king travelled from Oviedo to Santiago and is said to have been the first pilgrim to Santiago. He is also said to have opened the first Way of St James, the Camino Primitivo. Until the city of León was established as both the capital of the Kingdom of León and the nexus of a safe route — the Camino Francés — the Camino Primitivo remained the most frequented route for those going to Santiago. The Museo Arqueológico de Asturias is housed in a 16th century monastery. The Comisión Provincial de Monumentos, founded in 1845 to protect Spanish and Asturian cultural assets and monuments, opened a museum in 1870 for artefacts from Asturias and other donated items. The Museo Arqueológico de Asturias was officially founded in 1944 and moved to its current location. Virgin and Child / 13th century

The monastery dates back to the 10th century and it seems to have been a monastery for monks and nuns from the earliest times until the 12th century. In 1175 after a period of decadence, Countess Fronilda de Lemos restored monastic life, the monastery was rehabilitated and integrated into the Cistercian order. The church of the monastery is due to its profuse and diverse ornamentation, especially in its apse. It is considered to have been built prior to the incorporation of the monastery into the Cistercian order. The sculpture was discovered in 1975 during construction work. Dating from the 12th century, the 75cm high Madonna was in extremely poor condition. It has since been restored

According to legend, the mortal remains of the apostle St James were taken to Galicia for burial, where they were lost. Eight hundred years later, a light led a shepherd, Pelagius the Hermit, who was guarding his flock at night, to the burial site. The shepherd reported his discovery to the bishop of Iria. The bishop declared that the remains were those of St James the Apostle and immediately informed King Alfonso II in Oviedo. In honour of Saint James, the cathedral was built on the spot where his remains were said to have been found. The legend, which includes numerous miraculous events, enabled the Catholic faithful to strengthen their stronghold in northern Spain during the Reconquista against the Moors, but also led to the growth and development of the city. This is the end if the Camino de Santiago. I arrived the first time in Santiago in 2010 and, like everyone who makes the journey on foot, was overwhelmed. Much has changed since then. Most of all, the deployment of a very unfriendly security force that leaves neither tourists nor pilgrims in peace - in a place where everyone should find peace. The Museo da Catedral has an extraordinary collection Virgin with child, 13th century

In ancient times, Zafra was located on the Via de la Plata, a road fortified by the Romans between Hispalis (Seville) and Asturica Augusta (Astorga). There are ruins of several Roman estates in the area. In the early 8th century the region was taken by the Moors, whose rule under the Umayyads, Almoravids, and Almohads lasted until the 13th century. During the Reconquista, Zafra was captured twice, first in 1229 by Alfonso IX, and then in 1241 definitively by Ferdinand III. The area was then repopulated ("repoblación") by settlers from the north of the peninsula. In 1394, Henry III handed over the towns of Feria and Zafra to Gómez Suárez de Figueroa, the Grand Master of the Order of Santiago. The Convento de Santa Clara was founded in 1431. Today nuns still live here and offer excellent pastries in a small shop. In addition, they run the Museo Santa Clara Virgo de la Aurora / Our Lady of Dawn / early 15th c.

The place, once inhabited by Celtiberians, was taken by the Romans. In the 8th century, the Arab-Moorish armies advanced into the area and gave it the name Tirwal. In 1171, the Aragonese king Alfonso II conquered Tirwal with the intention of strengthening his kingdom's southern border after the Almohads captured the city of Valencia. He “founded” Teruel what empowered him to facilitate the repopulation of the region. After the inhabitants took part in the conquest of Valencia, Teruel was granted the title of city in 1347 by Pedro IV of Aragon. In the Middle Ages, the Jewish and Mudejar communities gained significant importance in the city's social and economic life. During the Spanish Civil War, the city changed hands several times and was virtually destroyed. The German Junkers Ju-87 dive bombers were used for the first time in the Battle of Teruel. After the final conquest by Franco's troops, the infamous Condor Legion also briefly used the airfield. It is estimated, that the two sides suffered up to 140,000 casualties between them in the three-month battle. Today Teruel is a thriving town with a population of about 36.000. The Museum of Sacred Art is located in the former Bishop's Palace, whose construction began at the end of the 16th century. Inside, it is arranged around a central courtyard. Virgen de Lechago / 13th c. /

The place, once inhabited by Celtiberians, was taken by the Romans. In the 8th century, the Arab-Moorish armies advanced into the area and gave it the name Tirwal. In 1171, the Aragonese king Alfonso II conquered Tirwal with the intention of strengthening his kingdom's southern border after the Almohads captured the city of Valencia. He “founded” Teruel what empowered him to facilitate the repopulation of the region. After the inhabitants took part in the conquest of Valencia, Teruel was granted the title of city in 1347 by Pedro IV of Aragon. In the Middle Ages, the Jewish and Mudejar communities gained significant importance in the city's social and economic life. During the Spanish Civil War, the city changed hands several times and was virtually destroyed. The German Junkers Ju-87 dive bombers were used for the first time in the Battle of Teruel. After the final conquest by Franco's troops, the infamous Condor Legion also briefly used the airfield. It is estimated, that the two sides suffered up to 140,000 casualties between them in the three-month battle. Today Teruel is a thriving town with a population of about 36.000. The Museum of Sacred Art is located in the former Bishop's Palace, whose construction began at the end of the 16th century. Inside, it is arranged around a central courtyard. Virgen de Torremocha / 14th c. /

The place, once inhabited by Celtiberians, was taken by the Romans. In the 8th century, the Arab-Moorish armies advanced into the area and gave it the name Tirwal. In 1171, the Aragonese king Alfonso II conquered Tirwal with the intention of strengthening his kingdom's southern border after the Almohads captured the city of Valencia. He “founded” Teruel what empowered him to facilitate the repopulation of the region. After the inhabitants took part in the conquest of Valencia, Teruel was granted the title of city in 1347 by Pedro IV of Aragon. In the Middle Ages, the Jewish and Mudejar communities gained significant importance in the city's social and economic life. During the Spanish Civil War, the city changed hands several times and was virtually destroyed. The German Junkers Ju-87 dive bombers were used for the first time in the Battle of Teruel. After the final conquest by Franco's troops, the infamous Condor Legion also briefly used the airfield. It is estimated, that the two sides suffered up to 140,000 casualties between them in the three-month battle. Today Teruel is a thriving town with a population of about 36.000. The Museum of Sacred Art is located in the former Bishop's Palace, whose construction began at the end of the 16th century. Inside, it is arranged around a central courtyard. Virgen de los Morales / 13th c. /

The place, once inhabited by Celtiberians, was taken by the Romans. In the 8th century, the Arab-Moorish armies advanced into the area and gave it the name Tirwal. In 1171, the Aragonese king Alfonso II conquered Tirwal with the intention of strengthening his kingdom's southern border after the Almohads captured the city of Valencia. He “founded” Teruel what empowered him to facilitate the repopulation of the region. After the inhabitants took part in the conquest of Valencia, Teruel was granted the title of city in 1347 by Pedro IV of Aragon. In the Middle Ages, the Jewish and Mudejar communities gained significant importance in the city's social and economic life. During the Spanish Civil War, the city changed hands several times and was virtually destroyed. The German Junkers Ju-87 dive bombers were used for the first time in the Battle of Teruel. After the final conquest by Franco's troops, the infamous Condor Legion also briefly used the airfield. It is estimated, that the two sides suffered up to 140,000 casualties between them in the three-month battle. Today Teruel is a thriving town with a population of about 36.000. The Museum of Sacred Art is located in the former Bishop's Palace, whose construction began at the end of the 16th century. Inside, it is arranged around a central courtyard. Virgen de Torrelacárcel / 13th c. /

Under the Visigoths, Ávila was one of the most important cities in the kingdom due to its proximity to the capital Toledo. From the 8th to the 11th centuries, Ávila was Moorish. The situation in the contested borderland between the Muslim and Christian worlds prevented prosperity, which only began in the 15th century when the fighting moved further south. The city experienced its heyday in the 16th century. The plague, the expulsion of the Moriscos (baptized Moors), and the emigration of many people to America caused Ávila's gradual decline, from which the city has only slowly recovered since the 19th century. Today the population is around 60,000. The “Catedral de Ávila” was planned as a cathedral fortress. The choir is fully integrated into the aalls and its apse was one of the towers of the city wall. The building, a mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles, dates back to the 12th century and is considered one of the first Gothic cathedrals in Spain. The client was probably Alfonso VIII. The first draft comes from Master Girald Fruchel (+ 1192). The cathedral shows French influences and great resemblances to the Abbey Church of St Denis, Initially created in the choir with a double ambulatory. The nave was only completed in the 14th century. Over time it became clear that the proportions of the central nave and the low side aisles caused structural problems. In the 18th century, support arches were added and the crossing pillars were strengthened. There is a museum attached to the cathedral.

Tangermünde Castle was first mentioned in 1009 as "civitate Tongeremuthi" because this is where the Tanger (Tongera) flows into the Elbe. The city was first mentioned in 1275. From 1373 to 1378 Tangermünde was the second seat of Emperor Charles IV, who appointed his 12-year-old son Wenzel Elector of Brandenburg in 1373. After the death of Emperor Charles IV, there was a turbulent development in the Mark, until the Hohenzollerns were enfeoffed with the Mark as electors in 1415 and initially resided in Tangermünde. The heyday of the Hanseatic city was the 15th century, when the city gates and the town hall were built in the North German brick Gothic style. At this time, St. Stephen's Church was expanded into a Gothic hall church. The city lost the Elector's favor after the uprising of 1488, when the citizens rebelled against the beer tax. In 1617 the city burned down almost completely. After the fire, many magnificent half-timbered houses were built. Due to the Thirty Years' War, however, the city became a rather insignificant country town. - The predecessor of St. Stephan was a Romanesque basilica. It was in existence by 1188. Parts of this original building were reused in the construction of the present church. The transept of the former building gave the width of the new nave. Emperor Charles IV, who lived in Tangermünde between 1373 and 1378, founded a house of Augustinian Canons, to which he gave the church as a source of income. The canons conducted the services. During the late Middle Ages the construction took place in several phases of today's triple-aisled Gothic hall church. Firstly, after 1350, the northern wall of the nave and the southern wall were built, and in about 1405, the roof and the rib vaults. The prominent octagonal pillars are unusual. The south tower remains uncompleted to this day. In 1450 work began on the construction of the new choir, followed by the outside walls of the new ambulatory and also the arms of the transept. Only then was the old choir removed. The choir was roofed in 1475. The city-wide fire from 1617 damaged the church and the top part of the north tower collapsed. It was not restored until after 1714, when the tower received its present Baroque roof. This Madonna is the only surviving figure of a triumphal cross group. The crucifix and the figure of Saint John were lost.

The Slavic Abodrites settled eastern Holstein since the 7th/8th century A.D. and built a castle on an island in the "Grossen Eutiner See" (Great Eutin Lake). After the Wendish Crusade, in the course of the German settlement in the East, German and Dutch settlers migrated since the 12th century. In 1156 Eutin became a residence of the (prince) bishops of Lübeck. It received the city rights in 1257. St. Michaelis was built in the 12th century in Romanesque style as a 40m long basilica. Due to the rise of the Lübeck Hanseatic bourgeoisie in the 13th century, disputes arose between the representatives of the bourgeois and the clerical power. Thus, Lübeck's bishop Burkhard von Serkem fled several times from Lübeck to his residence in Eutin and founded here in 1309 the collegiate chapter, which promoted the reconstruction of St. Michaelis from Romanesque to Gothic style. So at that time the choir and apse were replaced by the Gothic choir, which still exists today. The Reformation in Eutin did not progress for a long time. For many years Catholic services were celebrated in the choir room (behind a rood screen) and Protestant services in the nave. The wooden statue of the Virgin is from 1322. In 1760 the Guild of Tailors financed the chandelier in which she has been placed ever since.

The church was erected as an abbey church 12th/13th century, when the Cistercian "Abbaye de Theuley" started a "filiation" here. This may be merged with a priory, belonging to the "Abbaye Saint-Étienne" in Dijon. The statue of the Virgin is much younger than the church.

The first Troyes Cathedral was built in the 9th century, but was badly damaged by the Norman invasions. From about 940 on a Romanesque cathedral was built, commisioned by Bishop Milo. This cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1188. The construction of the present Gothic cathedral was begun under Bishop Hervé in 1208. Work continued until the 17th century. The earliest part of the cathedral, dating from the 13th century, is the choir. Some works, displayed in the Cathedral´s treasure room are older than the church. This may be as old as the choir, the Virgin (dated 13th century) carved from ivory, has already a little smooth "Gothic" touch, though over all it is still "Romanesque".

The Kermaria-an-Iskuit chapel has undergone many changes over the centuries. The construction of the oldest existing part is contributed to Henri d'Avaugour (+ 1183), count of Trégor and Goëlo, to give thanks after having returned from a crusade. In the 15th century the porch, seen here, and the transverse chapel were added. During the 19th century the structure was in real danger, when the parish priest wanted to demolish the chapel in order to construct the "modern" village church. The population resisted this plans - and so saved the building. Once this chapel was a place for pilgrimages, as the chapel is dedicated to the worship of "Itron Varia an Iskuit" (Saint Mary of the Healing) and following the local information, a traditional feast is still celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in September. There are some extraordenary statues here. I found three different statues of Virgin Mary holding little Jesus.

The Kermaria-an-Iskuit chapel has undergone many changes over the centuries. The construction of the oldest existing part is contributed to Henri d'Avaugour (+ 1183), count of Trégor and Goëlo, to give thanks after having returned from a crusade. In the 15th century the porch, seen here, and the transverse chapel were added. During the 19th century the structure was in real danger, when the parish priest wanted to demolish the chapel in order to construct the "modern" village church. The population resisted this plans - and so saved the building. Once this chapel was a place for pilgrimages, as the chapel is dedicated to the worship of "Itron Varia an Iskuit" (Saint Mary of the Healing) and following the local information, a traditional feast is still celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in September. There are some extraordenary statues here. I found three different statues of Virgin Mary holding little Jesus.

The "Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges" was erected as a replacement for a 11th-century structure. The construction started probably in the last quarter of the 12th century, around the same time, when the builders and bricklayers started in Chartres. The choir of the cathedral was in use by 1214, the nave was finished 1255. The cathedral was consecrated in 1324. The western facade was finished by 1270. It is very wide (42m), as the four side aisles and central nave each have their own portal. There are even two more portals, older ones. Here is the northern (side) portal. Like the southern one (previous uploads) it is Romanesque and was once part of the Romanesque cathedral, that got demolished and was replaced end of the 12th century, by the structure seen today. Here is the mutilated tympanum of the southern side portal. The Virgin and Child in the center, flanked by angels. I could not find out, what the scenery near the right angel stands for. Are there waves? Below on the left side the "Adoration of the Magi" and the "Visitation" on the right.