Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Wenzel

The exact age of the St.-Peters Church in Linden (about 6kms south of Giessen) is unknown. The church is placed on a once strongly fortified hill, mentioned in the Lorsch codex. A smaller Carolingian chapel had been here already as early as 810/820, foundations of this chapel have been found during a restauration. The church was probably erected within the 12th century. The romanesque portal is the outstanding feature of St.-Peters. It was carved around 1220/1230 and originally it had been on the southern entrance of the church, but was moved to the western facade. There are only a few of these portals in Germany - and this one is pretty unique, though it is weathered and difficult to "read". One theory claims, that the carvings are connected to the legend of Saint Wenceslaus I, who was murdered by his brother. Soon after his "martyrdom" several hagiographies were (told and) written - and these were very popular within the middle ages. The right side of the outer archivolt has this icon. A large and a small man, wearing hats or helmets. They both hold something in their hands, but it is impossible, to see, what it is. In the right corner "hangs" and axe, or a hammer. R. Hamann sees Cain and Abel. I see two men - and a tool. This is the last upload, centered around the portal of this church. It is in deed very mysterious, it is difficult to interconnect the different carvings. I have the impression, that there might not be a story. There are symbols like the devouring lions and the dragon. There might be a Virgin, there is a dragon-fighter. Then there is a hunter, a bishop, accompanied by a person with a banner, a couple of peasants, two horse carts.. The parish has a website about the history of the church (in German): www.ev-kirche-gr-linden.de/kirchengelaende.html

The exact age of the St.-Peters Church in Linden (about 6kms south of Giessen) is unknown. The church is placed on a once strongly fortified hill, mentioned in the Lorsch codex. A smaller Carolingian chapel had been here already as early as 810/820, foundations of this chapel have been found during a restauration. The church was probably erected within the 12th century. The romanesque portal is the outstanding feature of St.-Peters. It was carved around 1220/1230 and originally it had been on the southern entrance of the church, but was moved to the western facade. There are only a few of these portals in Germany - and this one is pretty unique, though it is not clear, how to "read" them. One theory claims, that the carvings are connected to the legend of Saint Wenceslaus I, the Duke of Bohemia. Saint "Wenzel" was murdered by his brother. Soon after his "martyrdom" several hagiographies were (told and) written - and these were very popular within the middle ages. The parish has a website about the history of the church (in German): www.ev-kirche-gr-linden.de/kirchengelaende.html

The exact age of the St.-Peters Church in Linden (about 6kms south of Giessen) is unknown. The church is placed on a once strongly fortified hill, mentioned in the Lorsch codex. A smaller Carolingian chapel had been here already as early as 810/820, foundations of this chapel have been found during a restauration. The church was probably erected within the 12th century. The romanesque portal is the outstanding feature of St.-Peters. It was carved around 1220/1230 and originally it had been on the southern entrance of the church, but was moved to the western facade. There are only a few of these portals in Germany - and this one is pretty unique, though it is weathered and difficult to "read". One theory claims, that the carvings are connected to the legend of Saint Wenceslaus I, the Duke of Bohemia. Saint "Wenzel" was murdered by his brother. Soon after his "martyrdom" several hagiographies were (told and) written - and these were very popular within the middle ages. This is an "overview" of the two archivolts, I will upload more detailed shots later. R. Hamann sees the nativity-scene in the center of the outer archivolt, the Magi rush to the center with wagons! Gottfried Kiesow ("Romanik in Hessen") supports that. The inner archivolt has on the left a hunter with a typical hunting-horn . His three dogs have cornered a boar (?). On the right a large winged dragon with a long tail. The light here is different from the previous shots from the same portal. This shot is from a second visit in Linden. The church was locked btw - both times. The parish has a website about the history of the church (in German): www.ev-kirche-gr-linden.de/kirchengelaende.html

The exact age of the St.-Peters Church in Linden (about 6kms south of Giessen) is unknown. The church is placed on a once strongly fortified hill, mentioned in the Lorsch codex. A smaller Carolingian chapel had been here already as early as 810/820, foundations of this chapel have been found during a restauration. The church was probably erected within the 12th century. The romanesque portal is the outstanding feature of St.-Peters. It was carved around 1220/1230 and originally it had been on the southern entrance of the church, but was moved to the western facade. There are only a few of these portals in Germany - and this one is pretty unique, though it is weathered and difficult to "read". One theory claims, that the carvings are connected to the legend of Saint Wenceslaus I, who was murdered by his brother. Soon after his "martyrdom" several hagiographies were (told and) written - and these were very popular within the middle ages. So here is the center of the outer archivolt and the complete inner with the hunting scene and the dragon. R. Hamann, quoted by Kiesow, sees a nativity scene in the center, flanked by the Magis, traveling with two wagons. The carvings are pretty weathered, but I doubt that. I see a lady in a position, that could well be the "Maria Regina", but I can not see a child. There are neither ox nor ass, but two men and (between them) an animal (dog). They carry weapons or tools and may be hunters or peasants. They seem to chat. Then there are these two wagons, on the left "equipped with two" on the right with one person. The lady may stand for the Virgin, but all others seem like "simple people" - to me. The parish has a website about the history of the church (in German): www.ev-kirche-gr-linden.de/kirchengelaende.html

The exact age of the St.-Peters Church in Linden (about 6kms south of Giessen) is unknown. The church is placed on a once strongly fortified hill, mentioned in the Lorsch codex. A smaller Carolingian chapel had been here already as early as 810/820, foundations of this chapel have been found during a restauration. The church was probably erected within the 12th century. The romanesque portal is the outstanding feature of St.-Peters. It was carved around 1220/1230 and originally it had been on the southern entrance of the church, but was moved to the western facade. There are only a few of these portals in Germany - and this one is pretty unique, though it is weathered and difficult to "read". One theory claims, that the carvings are connected to the legend of Saint Wenceslaus I, the Duke of Bohemia. Saint "Wenzel" was murdered by his brother. Soon after his "martyrdom" several hagiographies were (told and) written - and these were very popular within the middle ages. Both sides have very weathered lions. From this position only the little sinner in the lion´s mouth can be seen. This is the left side, next to the door, sideview. The carvings are weathered and kind of "clumsy", compare with the qualities of work, that can be found in France and Spain. On the left - a person, holding a flag or banner with five tails. His bearded head is strangely bent sidewards. He probably "accompanies" the person seen on the frontview. On the right - a siren - and below a huge snake. The parish has a website about the history of the church (in German): www.ev-kirche-gr-linden.de/kirchengelaende.html

The exact age of the St.-Peters Church in Linden (about 6kms south of Giessen) is unknown. The church is placed on a once strongly fortified hill, mentioned in the Lorsch codex. A smaller Carolingian chapel had been here already as early as 810/820, foundations of this chapel have been found during a restauration. The church was probably erected within the 12th century. The romanesque portal is the outstanding feature of St.-Peters. It was carved around 1220/1230 and originally it had been on the southern entrance of the church, but was moved to the western facade. There are only a few of these portals in Germany - and this one is pretty unique, though it is weathered and difficult to "read". One theory claims, that the carvings are connected to the legend of Saint Wenceslaus I, the Duke of Bohemia. Saint "Wenzel" was murdered by his brother. Soon after his "martyrdom" several hagiographies were (told and) written - and these were very popular within the middle ages. This is the left side, next to the door, frontview. On the right under the siren stands a small bishop wearing a mitra on his head - and holding a small crosier. This bishop stands "next" to the person holding that banner (seen on the previous upload). On the left a large bearded man, holding an enormous axe. I saw this man as an executioner, displaying his giant tool, first. Then I noticed, that the object, he has in his left hand may be a kind of medieval straightedge. That would mean, he may be a timberman, working on a construction site. The parish has a website about the history of the church (in German): www.ev-kirche-gr-linden.de/kirchengelaende.html

The exact age of the St.-Peters Church in Linden (about 6kms south of Giessen) is unknown. The church is placed on a once strongly fortified hill, mentioned in the Lorsch codex. A smaller Carolingian chapel had been here already as early as 810/820, foundations of this chapel have been found during a restauration. The church was probably erected within the 12th century. The romanesque portal is the outstanding feature of St.-Peters. It was carved around 1220/1230 and originally it had been on the southern entrance of the church, but was moved to the western facade. There are only a few of these portals in Germany - and this one is pretty unique, though it is weathered and difficult to "read". One theory claims, that the carvings are connected to the legend of Saint Wenceslaus I, the Duke of Bohemia. Saint "Wenzel" was murdered by his brother. Soon after his "martyrdom" several hagiographies were (told and) written - and these were very popular within the middle ages. Both sides have very weathered lions, sculpted in a different style. This lion seems to hold a ram in his mouth. This is the right side, next to the door. All the carvings are weathered and kind of "clumsy", compare with the qualities of work, that can be found in France and Spain. On the right - a small person, holding a club, fights a winged dragon. Is this St. Michael with a club? On the left - under a bird or angel a large bearded person with a key. So this is probably St. Peter. I am not sure, what he is holding in the other hand. Could this be part of a clamp, used to lift a stone (= petros)? The parish has a website about the history of the church (in German): www.ev-kirche-gr-linden.de/kirchengelaende.html