Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Girona

The Benedictian monastery Sant Pere de Galligants was built, outside the city walls, from 962. The monastery in 1117 was united to the Abbey of Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse (now France, 170kms north), but kept an own abbot and so at least some autonomy. In 1362, when the monastery was enclosed within Girona´s city walls, it was redesigned to a more defensive shape. It started to decay from the 15th century, and in 1592 it was united to the also crumbling monasteries of Sant Miquel de Cruïlles and San Miguel de Fluviá. In 1835 the monastery was given up, the abbot and the last four monks left, so in 1857 the Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya moved into the empty buildings. Using the remains of on older church, the construction of the three nave basilica, seen here, facing to the main apse, started in 1130. As this is a museum now, there is no furniture inside.

The Benedictian monastery Sant Pere de Galligants was built, outside the city walls, from 962. The monastery in 1117 was united to the Abbey of Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse (now France, 170kms north), but kept an own abbot and so at least some autonomy. In 1362, when the monastery was enclosed within Girona´s city walls, it was redesigned to a more defensive shape. It started to decay from the 15th century, and in 1592 it was united to the also crumbling monasteries of Sant Miquel de Cruïlles and San Miguel de Fluviá. In 1835 the monastery was given up, the abbot and the last four monks left. In 1857 the Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya moved in. Using the remains of on older church, the construction of the three nave basilica started in 1130. On the right side of the main portal of the basilica (just seen), now the entrance to the museum, is this dangerous looking beast, with a round, vicious mouth full of teeth. P.S. On the right side is NO dodo. This is a lion´s tail, imitating a dodo.

The Benedictian monastery Sant Pere de Galligants was built, outside the city walls, from 962. The monastery in 1117 was united to the Abbey of Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse (now France, 170kms north), but kept an own abbot and so at least some autonomy. In 1362, when the monastery was enclosed within Girona´s city walls, it was redesigned to a more defensive shape. It started to decay from the 15th century, and in 1592 it was united to the also crumbling monasteries of Sant Miquel de Cruïlles and San Miguel de Fluviá. In 1835 the monastery was given up, the abbot and the last four monks left. In 1857 the Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya moved in. Using the remains of on older church, the construction of the three nave basilica started in 1130. On the left side of the main portal of the basilica (just seen), now the entrance to the museum, is this long nosed person, pulling his stylish beard, a gesture that is often connoted to masturbation.

The Benedictian monastery Sant Pere de Galligants was built, outside the city walls, from 962. The monastery in 1117 was united to the Abbey of Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse (now France, 170kms north), but kept an own abbot and so at least some autonomy. In 1362, when the monastery was enclosed within Girona´s city walls, it was redesigned to a more defensive shape. It started to decay from the 15th century, and in 1592 it was united to the also crumbling monasteries of Sant Miquel de Cruïlles and San Miguel de Fluviá. In 1835 the monastery was given up, the abbot and the last four monks left. In 1857 the Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya moved in. Using the remains of on older church, the construction of the three nave basilica started in 1130. On the left side of the main portal of the basilica (just seen), now the entrance to the museum, are these two lions, holding a human head, ready to devour it.

The Benedictian monastery Sant Pere de Galligants was built, outside the city walls, from 962. The monastery in 1117 was united to the Abbey of Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse (now France, 170kms north), but kept an own abbot and so at least some autonomy. In 1362, when the monastery was enclosed within Girona´s city walls, it was redesigned to a more defensive shape. It started to decay from the 15th century, and in 1592 it was united to the also crumbling monasteries of Sant Miquel de Cruïlles and San Miguel de Fluviá. In 1835 the monastery was given up, the abbot and the last four monks left. In 1857 the Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya moved in. Using the remains of on older church, the construction of the three nave basilica started in 1130. The main portal of the basilica, now the entrance to the museum. The archivolts bear nicely carved foliage.

The Benedictian monastery Sant Pere de Galligants was built, outside the city walls, from 962. The monastery in 1117 was united to the Abbey of Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse (now France, 170kms north), but kept an own abbot and so at least some autonomy. In 1362, when the monastery was enclosed within Girona´s city walls, it was redesigned to a more defensive shape. It started to decay from the 15th century, and in 1592 it was united to the also crumbling monasteries of Sant Miquel de Cruïlles and San Miguel de Fluviá. In 1835 the monastery was given up, the abbot and the last four monks left. In 1857 the Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya moved in. Using the remains of on older church, the contruction of the three nave basilica started in 1130. Seeing the campanile-like octogonal tower and all the lombardic bands, there is a clear influence from Northern Italy. This may be connected to abbot Oliba of Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa (971-1046). He was a descendant of Wilfred the Hairy, count of Berga and Ripoll and later bishop of Vic. He had been in Italy at least twice and had invited "lombard masters" to create churches in their new style, what they did in Cuxa. Our schedule was still very "French", so this was the first time, we crashed into the Spanish Siesta - and had plenty of time in the shady park.

The Benedictian monastery Sant Pere de Galligants was built, outside the city walls of Girnona, from 962 on. The monastery in 1117 was united to the Abbey of Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse (now France, 170kms north), but kept an own abbot and so at least some autonomy. In 1362, when the monastery was enclosed within Girona´s city walls, it was redesigned to a more defensive shape. It started to decay from the 15th century, and in 1592 it was united to the also crumbling monasteries of Sant Miquel de Cruïlles and San Miguel de Fluviá. In 1835 the monastery was given up, the abbot and the last four monks left. In 1857 the Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya moved into the buildings. Using the remains of on older church, the contruction of the three nave basilica started in 1130. Parts of the facade may date back to the older church, but not that large rose-window (3,50m in diameter), that is quite sensational for that time. Note the lombardic bands around the walls. Behind the high wall to the right is the cloister.

A church existed here before the Moors conquest the iberian peninsula. This church was converted into a mosque in 717. The Franks reconquered Girona in 785 under Charlemagne, and the church was reconsecrated in 908. Bishop Roger (son of Roger I of Carcassonne) started a reconstruction in 1015. A new church and a cloister were built in romanesque style until 1064. The two towers were completed in 1117. The cloister was completed already 1064 and most parts are still in the original condition. Like the cloister of Sant Pere de Galligants (less than 500 meters north), the arches of the four galleries are supported by twin columns. But - this cloister is about one century older. Here is a different style of carving, actually here are more than just one artistic style. There are very different themes and topics themes depicted here. Scenes from the bible, dignitaries, people at work, hunting scenes, birds... Similar to Elne (now France, once Northern Catalonia), here are some magnificent friezes. Here is a smaller one, depicting Noah's Ark, flanked by a bird (left) and a winged dragon (right). Three men (Noah´s three sons?) are approaching the ark.

A church existed here before the Moors conquest the iberian peninsula. This church was converted into a mosque in 717. The Franks reconquered Girona in 785 under Charlemagne, and the church was reconsecrated in 908. Bishop Roger (son of Roger I of Carcassonne) started a reconstruction in 1015. A new church and a cloister were built in romanesque style until 1064. The two towers were completed in 1117. The church got redesigned later in gothic style. It is claimed that the cathedral has the widest gothic nave worldwide (22,98m). Within this large gothic nave hides this couple of small monkeys. They just found two rolls and now prepare breakfast.

A church existed here before the Moors conquest the iberian peninsula. This church was converted into a mosque in 717. The Franks reconquered Girona in 785 under Charlemagne, and the church was reconsecrated in 908. Bishop Roger (son of Roger I of Carcassonne) started a reconstruction in 1015. A new church and a cloister were built in romanesque style until 1064. The two towers were completed in 1117. The cloister was completed already 1064 and most parts are still in the original condition. Like the cloister of Sant Pere de Galligants (less than 500 meters north), the arches of the four galleries are supported by twin columns. But - this cloister is about one century older. Here is a different style of carving, actually here are more than just one artistic style. There are very different themes and topics themes depicted here. Scenes from the bible, dignitaries, people at work, hunting scenes, birds... I know, that the quality of this shot is just awful, but as it is not allowed to take photos, I did not have time... A Luxuria beside playing twins with curly hair. The twins look pretty "baroque". Or is the left tiwn stabbing his brother?

A church existed here before the Moors conquest the iberian peninsula. This church was converted into a mosque in 717. The Franks reconquered Girona in 785 under Charlemagne, and the church was reconsecrated in 908. Bishop Roger (son of Roger I of Carcassonne) started a reconstruction in 1015. A new church and a cloister were built in romanesque style until 1064. The two towers were completed in 1117. The cloister was completed already 1064 and most parts are still in the original condition. Like the cloister of Sant Pere de Galligants (less than 500 meters north), the arches of the four galleries are supported by twin columns. But - this cloister is about one century older. Here is a different style of carving, actually here are more than just one artistic style. There are very different themes and topics themes depicted here. Scenes from the bible, dignitaries, people at work, hunting scenes, birds... Similar to Elne (now France, once Northern Catalonia), here are some magnificent friezes. Here is a smaller one, depicting a scene from the scary center of hell. Two Luxuriae on the left (first time that I see two in one "frame"), flames lick the the lower body of the left one. A large vessel on the fire in the center, where three sinners get boiled. Two horned evil devils flank the vessel - well I am not really sure, but I have the impression they are - raping two sinners. The horned devil to the right feeds a larte mythic bird.