Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Descent from the Cross

In 74 BC, the Roman city was founded by Pompejus on the site of a local settlement. The city served to secure the Pyrenees crossing from Roncesvalles. Pamplona was destroyed several times in the course of its history: 466 by the Visigoths, 542 by the Franks, 778 by Charlemagne, 924 by Abd ar-Rahman III and in 1521 during the Franco-Spanish War by troops of Francis I. Its location on the Way of St. James from France gave the capital of the Kingdom of Navarre a boom in the 11th century. With the division of Navarre, the city ultimately came to Spain. After the conquest of the country and its incorporation into Castile in 1512-1515, Pamplona became one of the outposts of the Spanish crown on the French border. Its mission for 300 years was to secure the border against a possible invasion from France. Fortifications and walls were a vital system of defense, but at the same time prevented the city from expanding. The museum is located in the old hospital “Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia de Pamplona” from the 16th century. However, only the facade with the main entrance and the former chapel remain of the hospital. The Descent from the Cross Created by the "Maestro del claustro de la Catedral de Pamplona". ca 1150

Santo Domingo de Silos is a village with a population of about 300 - and at least one nice hotel. The first monastery was founded here in the Visigoth period (~ 590), but this monastery did not survive the Muslim period. A monastery was founded here again in 929, but it came to a standstill again after the raids under Almansor in the last quarter of the 10th century. In 1002 the monastery was destroyed and had to be founded again. During the term of abbot Domingo de Silos from 1041- 1073, the monastery was strongly supported by King Ferdinand I, who was in power 1035 - 1065. Under Abbot Domingo, construction began on a Romanesque church with three naves, a transept and five apses. The consecration took place in 1088 before the construction as a whole was completed after the turn of the 12th century. After abbot Domingo's death, his veneration began and the monastery adopted him as its patron saint. It was called Santo Domingo de Silos from about 1110. In the 18th century, there was a need for a larger church. The Romanesque church was demolished and replaced by a baroque new building. The Romanesque cloister has two stories. The lower floor was of course built sometime earlier than the upper floor. The dates are disputed. The oldest parts may date from the late tenure of Saint Domingo. The upper one was completed around 1160/80. The "Descent from the Cross" Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are taking Christ down from the cross after his crucifixion

The town on the Vistula River has been known since the 9th century. In 1009 a Benedictine monastery was founded here. King Bolesław I the Brave built the original fortifications on the Cathedral Hill overlooking the Vistula River. In 1075, the city became the seat of a bishopric. From 1079 to 1138, during the reign of Władysław I Herman and Bolesław III. Wrymouth, the city was the capital of Poland. In 1144 the Płock Cathedral was completed, and in 1180 the first school in Poland was opened in the city, which still exists today as the Liceum Małachowianka. he 16th century was the golden age of the city before it suffered great population losses due to plague, fire and wars. In 1657, during the Second Northern War, the Swedes destroyed Płock, including the castle, but the population rebuilt it and recovered. In the late 18th century, the old city walls were torn down and a new town was built, where many German immigrants settled. During the second partition of Poland in 1793, the town was annexed by Prussia. In 1815 it became part of Congress Poland and later was annexed completely by the Russian Empire. In 1939, after the invasion of Poland, the city became part of the German Empire in violation of international law. The first mention of the cathedral dates back to 1102, when Władysław I Herman was buried there. The present Romanesque cathedral was rebuilt after a fire and lasted from 1136 to 1144, being consecrated in 1144. The Romanesque bronze door was created in Magdeburg in 1152-1154 by order of the Bishop of Płock and was originally installed in the cathedral. Through the mediation of the Bishop of Magdeburg, the order was given to Master Riquinus. Master Awram from Novgorod was also involved. The components of the door were cast individually from bronze and nailed to the wooden door in partially reversed order. The sequence of images was changed several times and Russian inscriptions were added. Between the panels with figural motifs there are wide borders. In total, the door consists of 26 panels. Between the panels there were borders with plant ornaments, which were replaced in the upper part by figural motifs of knights and animals. The panels depict the cycle of redemption, starting with the scene of the creation of the first man and ending with Christ enthroned as the judge of the world, surrounded by symbols of the evangelists. The door handles are designed in the form of lion heads holding small human heads in half-open mouths. The door remained in Płock for about 250 years, then it was brought to Novgorod and installed in St. Sophia's Cathedral. Either it was stolen by the Lithuanians during a raid in the 13th century or it was given to the Prince of Novgorod, Simon Lingwen, the brother of Władysław II. Jagiełło. Today there is a bronze copy in Płock. The original is in Novgorod. Descent from the Cross and the Myrrhbearers finding the empty grave.

The history of Wroclaw dates back more than a thousand years. At various times, it has been part of the Kingdom of Poland, the Kingdom of Bohemia, the Kingdom of Hungary, the Habsburg monarchy of Austria, the Kingdom of Prussia, and Germany. Wrocław became part of Poland again in 1945 as part of the result of extensive border changes and expulsions after WWII. In 990 Mieszko I of Poland conquered Silesia and Wrocław. The town became a commercial center. In the 12th century Polish, Bohemian, Jewish, Walloon, and German communities existed here. Wroclaw was devastated in 1241 during the first Mongol invasion of Poland. In the 13th century due to migration from Saxony and Bavaria, Wroclaw got germanised. The population adopted the German language and culture and the name changed to Breslau. Between 1342 and 1344 two fires destroyed large parts of the city, which was a part of the Bohemian Kingdom at that time. Charles IV`s , successors Wenceslaus and Sigismund became involved in a long-lasting feud with the city and its magistrate, culminating in the revolt in 1418 when local craftsmen killed seven councilors. After the city had defeated the Bohemian Hussites the city was besieged by a combined Polish-Czech force in 1474, however, a ceasefire was signed, according to which the city remained under Hungarian rule. The Reformation reached Breslau already in 1518, and in 1523 the town council unanimously appointed a new pastor and thus introduced the Reformation in Breslau. In 1526, the Habsburg monarchy of Austria inherited Bohemia, Silesia, and the city of Breslau. In 1609 German emperor Rudolf II granted the free exercise of church services to all Bohemian and Silesian Protestants. In the following Thirty Years' War, the city suffered badly. It was occupied by Saxon and Swedish troops and lost 18,000 of its 40,000 residents to the plague. The Counter-Reformation had started with Rudolf II who encouraged Catholic orders to settle in Breslau. The dominance of the German population under the Habsburg rule in the city became more visible, while the Polish population diminished in numbers. After Frederick the Great besieged the city for a year, it surrendered in 1741. In 1742, Queen Maria Theresa handed over Silesia to the Prussian king. - At the end of the 12th century, the family of the governor Peter Włast (Piotr Włostowic) funded the construction of a Romanesque church on this small island, hence its name on the Sand. The Romanesque church was demolished in the 14th century to make way for a larger Gothic church, built in brick between 1334 and 1430 according to the plans of the architect Master Peschel. The nave, lit by huge windows, is 78 meters long. The Gothic vaults rise to 24 meters high. The church was sacked by Swedish troops in 1632 during the Thirty Years' War. During the Seven Years' War, the Prussians used the church as an ammunition depot. When at the end of WWII the Soviet troops advanced in 1945, the Sandkirche and the buildings served as headquarters for the German army, which was conscious of fighting a dead-end battle. During the fighting, most of Breslau's historical monuments were destroyed or severely damaged. The Sandkirche also burned down, only the walls were still standing. The German population was expelled after the war and replaced by Polish refugees from the east. In 1946, the reconstruction began, which was based on the old Gothic plans and also reconstructed the ceiling vaults in their old form. The interior furnishing of the church is composed of surviving elements from other destroyed churches in the city and the diocesan museum. The "Descent from the Cross" is in the center. Apostle Andrew is on the right (St. Andrew's cross). I can not identify the person on the left wing.

Legends tell, that in 490, 492 and 493 the archangel Michael appeared to a shepherd and a bishop in front of a grotto. Archangel Michael instructing them to convert that cave into a Christian church. This grotto became the site of many pilgrimages since the early Middle Ages. It is said, that this is the oldest shrine in Western Europe When the Lombards successfully conquered southern Italy end of the 6th century, King Grimoald in 662 passed on the region to his son, Romuald I, who renovated the sanctuary and encouraged its use as a pilgrimage site. It got very popular for pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem and as well for pilgrims who had followed the Via Francigena to Rome and then continued to the grotto. Many Popes have been here, but as well Bridget of Sweden, Bernard of Clairvaux, Thomas Aquinas, Matilda of Tuscany, Otto III... Only about 100 meters south of the sanctuary is a complex of (once) three interconnected and partially nested buildings. The apse of the Church of San Pietro, the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and the "Tomba di Rotari" (aka "San Giovanni Battista in Tomba"). It was believed, that this was the mausoleum of the Lombardian King Rothari, but that was a misinterpretation. The consent now, is, that the 12th structure was a baptistery, dedicated to John the Baptist. The small portal has an extraordinary very complex tympanum. The upper part is centred around the "Descent from the Cross". Joseph of Arimathea holds large pliers.

Parma, part of the Holy Roman Empire since Charlemagne´s times, was locally ruled by its bishops. During the long Investiture Controversy, Parma was (mostly) member of the Imperial party ("Ghibellini"). Two of Parma´s bishops even became antipopes: Càdalo as Honorius II and Guibert as Clement III. A paleochristian basilica had existed here in the 6th century. This church burnt down and got replaced in the 9th century by Bishop Wibod. This cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1055. Bishop Càdalo (= antipope Honorius II) begun the construction of the Duomo di Parma in 1059. The Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta got consecrated in 1106, but the new church was heavily damaged by the earthquake in 1117 and had to be restored. Originally the Duomo was erected on a Latin cross plan, with a nave and two transept arms. Later chapels and structures were added, so by now, the plan is pretty complex. It is actually not allowed, to take photos inside the Duomo di Parma, but nevertheless I took a few. Very few. The "Descent from the Cross", created and signed in 1178 by Benedetto Antelami, is (for me) the most fantastic work in the Duomo. It is believed that Benedetto Antelami has served as apprentice at Saint-Trophime d'Arles in his early years. So there are parallels to the "style provençal". Here is the "signature".

Parma, part of the Holy Roman Empire since Charlemagne´s times, was locally ruled by its bishops. During the long Investiture Controversy, Parma was (mostly) member of the Imperial party ("Ghibellini"). Two of Parma´s bishops even became antipopes: Càdalo as Honorius II and Guibert as Clement III. A paleochristian basilica had existed here in the 6th century. This church burnt down and got replaced in the 9th century by Bishop Wibod. This cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1055. Bishop Càdalo (= antipope Honorius II) begun the construction of the Duomo di Parma in 1059. The Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta got consecrated in 1106, but the new church was heavily damaged by the earthquake in 1117 and had to be restored. Originally the Duomo was erected on a Latin cross plan, with a nave and two transept arms. Later chapels and structures were added, so by now, the plan is pretty complex. It is actually not allowed, to take photos inside the Duomo di Parma, but nevertheless I took a few. Very few. The "Descent from the Cross", created and signed in 1178 by Benedetto Antelami, is (for me) the most fantastic work in the Duomo. It is believed that Benedetto Antelami has served as apprentice at Saint-Trophime d'Arles in his early years. So there are parallels to the "style provençal". Antelami´s signature is above the right cross-beam.

A cathedral and a bishop's palace existed here already within the 9th century. The construction of the cathedral of today started in 1196, about 150 years later, the church may have been completed, but a massive addition of the cathedral was planned in 1339. It would have more than doubled the size of the structure by means of an entirely new nave and two aisles ranged perpendicular to the existing nave. The planned cathedral would have been larger than (old) Saint Peter in Rome, it was never completed. The construction was halted by the Black Death in 1348. Then errors in the static of the building got evident. A kind of under-church, that was underneath the choir of the cathedral had to be filled up, to give stability... and got completely forgotten. In 1999 this crypt was found and got excavated over the next years. There are some phantastic frescoes from around 1280. As they had been in the dark for centuries, the colours are surprisingly - clear. Before the crypt was filled up, obviously walls had to be erected to stabilize the church above, so a part of the fresco got lost.

A cathedral and a bishop's palace existed here already within the 9th century. The construction of the cathedral of today started in 1196, about 150 years later, the church may have been completed, but a massive addition of the cathedral was planned in 1339. It would have more than doubled the size of the structure by means of an entirely new nave and two aisles ranged perpendicular to the existing nave. The planned cathedral would have been larger than (old) Saint Peter in Rome, it was never completed. The construction was halted by the Black Death in 1348. Then errors in the static of the building got evident. A kind of under-church, that was underneath the choir of the cathedral had to be filled up, to give stability... and got completely forgotten. In 1999 this crypt was found and got excavated over the next years. There are some phantastic frescoes from around 1280. As they had been in the dark for centuries, the colours are surprisingly - clear. Here the "Descent from the Cross".

San Martial, parish church of Le Douhet is a 12th century structure, that had to be stabilized by buttresses within the 15th century, when a steeple was built and the building got unbalanced and unstable. The portal, erected in the typical Saintonge-style, is richly decorated. Here is a corbel, depicting the "Descent from the Cross". John 19:38 "After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body." The stones, used in medieval times all over the Saintonge, were very soft and so ideal for complex carvings. Unfortunately they weathered over the centuries.

Already Theodoric the Great, King of the Ostrogoths, may have funded a church, erected over the tomb of Saint Zeno, who, following the legends, was born in Mauretania and died around 380 in Verona. The erection of the present church began in the 9th century. Soon after San Zeno´s relics were translated into the new church. At that time Charlemagne´s son Pepin (aka "Pepin of Italy") resided in Verona and a large Benedictine monastery grew all around the church. When the Magyars invaded Italy in the early 10th century, the church got severely damaged, but the relics were not harmed, as they had been taken out and were hidden. In 967, a new church was built with the patronage of Otto I. On January 3, 1117, the church was damaged by an earthquake, that ruined so many buildings in Northern Italy. The church was restored and got enlarged in 1138. It may well be, that soon after panels of a bronze door from another (destroyed?, damaged?) church were transferred to San Zeno - and so got reused here. Today the famous bronze door consists out of two panels on which the plates are fixed. The older ones (~ 1100) are often compared with the bronze works in Hildesheim, and Saxon Masters may have worked here. The younger ones (1200) are "smoother" and some scholars connect them to Benedetto Antelami, who worked in Parma 1178 ("Deposition"). Unfortunately the room is so small, that I was unable to take an "overview", so I could only take photos of panels and details. The "Descent from the Cross" Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus taking Christ down from the cross.

Romeno is a small village in the Val di Non. The small church, outside the village, is surrounded by orchards. It may date back to the 8th century, though it was mentioned first time in 1187. Soon after the interior walls of Santi Bartolomeo e Tommaso were adorned with murals. Some of the frescoes (dated to 1210) still exist. The Descent from the Cross. The person to the left could be Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Arimathea (or Nicodemus) holds the body (near the chest), followed by John the Apostle and Mary. Matthew 27:57-58 "As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him." John 19:38-39 "Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night.."

The former collegiate church Saint-Aignan was built from the early 11th to the early 13th century, so there is a transition from Romanesque to early Gothic style. The church replaced a chapel from the 9th century and was a center of pilgrimage, as the relics of Saint Aignan of Orlean (+ 453) were venerated here. The church was ruined for a long time and got renovated and restored during the 19th century. During the renovation of the nave at least some parts got recreated. Fortunately the ambulatory crypt, the oldest part of the collegiate church Saint-Aignan, got not renovated like the nave. It stayed pretty much intact and has frescoes dating back to the 12th and 13th century. The large fresco under the apse again (see previous uploads). The Pantocrator in the mandorla is flanked by angels. Down below the scene with the pilgrims (previous upload). To the left are two scenes. Maybe these are the "Annunciation" and the "Visitation". On the right side of the center is the "Descent from the Cross" - and a "Pietà", Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus. This would mean, that the fresco was probably created not before 1300, when the first Pietàs were carved in Germany.

San Bartolomé is the oldest church of Logroño. The construction dates back to the 12th century. Though it got altered largely in the 16th century, the Romanesque structure is still visible. During the time of "La Desamortización", when mid 19th century many monastic properties got sold, the church was used as a warehouse and workshop. It was even discussed to demolish the building. The porch was created in the 13th century. Below the large vignettes themed about Saint Bartholomew's life and death are small, very nice scenes. Here is a "Descent from the Cross". Joseph of Arimathea takes the body of Jesus down from the cross. A 13th century legend tells, that Joseph in his old age travelled to England and buried the Holy Grail in Glastonbury.

In the center of Le Douhet, a village just 12 kms north east of Saintes, is Saint Martial, a 12th century structure, that had to be stabilized by buttresses within the 15th century, when a steeple was built. The western facade is richly decorated with friezes and archivolts over the portal and the flanking blind arches. There are as well some remarkable corbels. Some of them are weathered, like this "Descent from the Cross". Joseph of Arimathea takes the body of Jesus down from the cross. A 13th century legend tells, that Joseph in his old age travelled to Glastonbury, where he buried the Holy Grail.

Whatever is left from the priory Saint-Alpinien, dependent from the Abbey of Saint Martial in Limoges, that existed in Ruffec in the 12th century, is privat property today. The large church of the priory got heavily damaged and the only carving, that I found on the facade is this weathered "Descent from the Cross".