Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: 4711

4711 is a German Eau de Cologne, that because it has been produced in Cologne since at least 1799, it is allowed to use the geographical indication Original Eau de Cologne. According to legend Carl Gereon Farina, a Carthusian monk with Italian roots, made the secret recipe of a remedy named "aqua mirabilis" a wedding gift for Wilhelm Mülhens. Mühlens then started a small factory at Cologne's "Glockengasse to produce the remedy. After French troops had occupied Cologne in 1794 the guard-committee received authorisation to number all houses in Cologne . It is believed that the house in which the "Eau de Cologne" was produced got the number "4711". When Peter Joseph Mülhens moved from Glockengasse 12 into a newly constructed commercial building with a neo-gothic facade at Glockengasse 26-28, who then brought the number "4711" to the new building. The building was completely destroyed by an air raid in 1943. In 1963 a new building in the style of the pre-war building was built at Glockengasse 4. The Mühlens family sold the business to Wella AG in 1994. Wella AG was taken over by Procter & Gamble in 2003. Procter & Gamble sold the 4711 brand to Mäurer & Wirtz in 2006.

Cologne, the fourth-largest city in Germany, has all kinds and styles of restaurants, eateries and deli-shops. Chlodwig Platz, a large roundabout, is the center of the vibrant Suedstadt quarter. Where the tramstop is (left) is the Ubierring, the Bonner Strasse is to the very right. In front are two restaurants/ cafes/ bars. The "4711"-signs are the last traces of a perfumery, that once existed, where now is "Meister Gerhard", serving nice lunches. "Cafe Kult" (behind the red chairs) is the perfect place to sip a white wine and watch the sunset in summer. www.meister-gerhard.com/am-chlodwigplatz.php www.cafekult.net/

"Santa María la Real" is one of the highlights for all people following the "Camino Aragonés" - since about 800 years. The facade is impressing it may take hours, to find out the many details. I stayed an extra day, when I had reached the town, just to see the shadows movig over the carvings. A church did exist here already in 1131 next to the bridge crossing the river Aragon. It was transferred by Alfonso I to the "Knights Hospitaller" (aka "Order of Saint John", later "Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta"). The apse is the oldest part of the structure and probably dates back to that time. The nave and the breathtaking Southern Portal of Santa María la Real were created late 12th/13th century. I have uploaded a "total overview" earlier and will now focus on some details. Six large and slim figures flank the entrance doors. The three on the right side are men: Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Judas, who has a rope around his neck. The sculptures remind on some, that can be found on early gothic cathedrals in France (eg Chartres). The three slim statues on the left are even more elaborated and elegant. Here are the "three Marys" - Mary Magdalene , Virgin Mary and Mary Clopas (mother of St. James). Here is the wonderful, crowned head of Virgin Mary. It looks like she is just contemplating about something. This is is a better and way more detailled work, than the bald head of Saint Paul on the opposite side.