Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: relics

Cingoli is known at least since Roman times, because around 60 BC the city was strongly fortified by Titus Labienus, one of Caesar's officers, who was born there. In the early Middle Ages, it was destroyed in the course of the battles between Eastern Rome and the Goths, later the Lombards. Probably between the late 4th and the second half of the 6th century, Cingoli became a bishopric and remained so until 1725. The abbey of Fonte Avellana may have owned this spot already around 1000. The ownership was confirmed by the Pope in 1139. From the second half of the 13th century, when Sant'Esuperanzio, the second bishop of Cingoli, was elected patron saint, the church took a prominent role. Thus began around 1250 the construction of the present church in Romanesque-Gothic style. In 1569 the municipality was dissolved and with it the monastery of Sant'Asuperanzio. The church was used as a hospital during the plague epidemic of 1591. To disinfect the place it was customary to burn sulfur pools and then sprinkle quicklime on the walls to whiten them, so many of the murals got lost. The devotion to Saint Esuperanzio received a new boost after the holy remains were found during renovation works in 1495. Today they are kept in a shrine in the crypt.

The "Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine" in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (pop. ~ 14.000) is one of the largest and most important Gothic churches in of the Provence. - As I have uploaded many fotos taken here during previous visits, I will now add only a few.. - A small merovingien church existed here, until a sarcophagus was discovered inside the church´s crypt in 1279. The inscription made clear, that this was the tomb of Mary Magdalene. Her relics had been venerated in Vezeley since the early 11th century. This had made Vezelay Abbey to a major starting point for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. According to a legend a monk named Baudillon brought the relics of Maria Magdalene from Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume to Vezelay. In 1058 Pope Stephen IX had confirmed the authenticity of the relics. It was undisputed that Maria Magdalena was one of the The "Three Marys", who had fled the Holy Land by a miraculous boat and landed at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. After having worked as a sucessful missionar, she retired to a cave in the near mountains. She was buried in a crypt in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, from where the relics had been transferred to Vezelay. The discovery of the tomb in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in 1279 was a very clever "marketing" plot, that put the pilgrim business in Vezelay to a sudden end. Charles II of Anjou, King of Naples founded the Basilique Ste. Marie-Madeleine in 1295. Pope Boniface VIII placed it under the new order of Dominicans. The basilica was built over the crypt (where the tomb was found) but the works slowed down and the basilica never got completed. --- There are some old sarcophagi in the dim crypt. One of them is named "The Saint Innocent´s sarcophagus". It is dated to the 4th century. The frieze depicts (following teh information given here): "The Shepherd´s Adoration (they are wearing Phrygian caps). Jesus child, the ox, the donkey" I do not agree. I am pretty sure, that seen here is the Adoration of the Magi. There are (only) three persons, they hold presents, they may even wear Phrygian caps (I do not see them), but these caps are typical for the early icons of the Magi (see Ravenna). --- Sorry for the bad quality of this pic.

The "Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine" in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (pop. ~ 14.000) is one of the largest and most important Gothic churches in of the Provence. - As I have uploaded many fotos taken here during previous visits, I will now add only a few.. - A small merovingien church existed here, until a sarcophagus was discovered inside the church´s crypt in 1279. The inscription made clear, that this was the tomb of Mary Magdalene. Her relics had been venerated in Vezeley since the early 11th century. This had made Vezelay Abbey to a major starting point for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. According to a legend a monk named Baudillon brought the relics of Maria Magdalene from Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume to Vezelay. In 1058 Pope Stephen IX had confirmed the authenticity of the relics. It was undisputed that Maria Magdalena was one of the The "Three Marys", who had fled the Holy Land by a miraculous boat and landed at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. After having worked as a sucessful missionar, she retired to a cave in the near mountains. She was buried in a crypt in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, from where the relics had been transferred to Vezelay. The discovery of the tomb in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in 1279 was a very clever "marketing" plot, that put the pilgrim business in Vezelay to a sudden end. Charles II of Anjou, King of Naples founded the Basilique Ste. Marie-Madeleine in 1295. Pope Boniface VIII placed it under the new order of Dominicans. The basilica was built over the crypt (where the tomb was found) but the works slowed down and the basilica never got completed. --- The walls around the stairs, that lead down to the crypt, are covered with graffiti. To carve names and dates into the ceiling, blackened with soot, is easy.

The "Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine" in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (pop. ~ 14.000) is one of the largest and most important Gothic churches in of the Provence. - As I have uploaded many fotos taken here during previous visits, I will now add only a few.. - A small merovingien church existed here, until a sarcophagus was discovered inside the church´s crypt in 1279. The inscription made clear, that this was the tomb of Mary Magdalene. Her relics had been venerated in Vezeley since the early 11th century. This had made Vezelay Abbey to a major starting point for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. According to a legend a monk named Baudillon brought the relics of Maria Magdalene from Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume to Vezelay. In 1058 Pope Stephen IX had confirmed the authenticity of the relics. It was undisputed that Maria Magdalena was one of the The "Three Marys", who had fled the Holy Land by a miraculous boat and landed at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. After having worked as a sucessful missionar, she retired to a cave in the near mountains. She was buried in a crypt in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, from where the relics had been transferred to Vezelay. The discovery of the tomb in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in 1279 was a very clever "marketing" plot, that put the pilgrim business in Vezelay to a sudden end. Charles II of Anjou, King of Naples founded the Basilique Ste. Marie-Madeleine in 1295. Pope Boniface VIII placed it under the new order of Dominicans. The basilica was built over the crypt (where the tomb was found) but the works slowed down and the basilica never got completed. --- The walls around the stairs, that lead down to the crypt, are covered with graffiti. The "horseshoe" is a very common graffiti carved in by pilgrims on their way to Santiago with a horse, mule or donkey.

The "Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine" in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (pop. ~ 14.000) is one of the largest and most important Gothic churches in of the Provence. - As I have uploaded many fotos taken here during previous visits, I will now add only a few.. - A small merovingien church existed here, until a sarcophagus was discovered inside the church´s crypt in 1279. The inscription made clear, that this was the tomb of Mary Magdalene. Her relics had been venerated in Vezeley since the early 11th century. This had made Vezelay Abbey to a major starting point for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. According to a legend a monk named Baudillon brought the relics of Maria Magdalene from Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume to Vezelay. In 1058 Pope Stephen IX had confirmed the authenticity of the relics. It was undisputed that Maria Magdalena was one of the The "Three Marys", who had fled the Holy Land by a miraculous boat and landed at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. After having worked as a sucessful missionar, she retired to a cave in the near mountains. She was buried in a crypt in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, from where the relics had been transferred to Vezelay. The discovery of the tomb in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in 1279 was a very clever "marketing" plot, that put the pilgrim business in Vezelay to a sudden end. Charles II of Anjou, King of Naples founded the Basilique Ste. Marie-Madeleine in 1295. Pope Boniface VIII placed it under the new order of Dominicans. The basilica was built over the crypt (where the tomb was found) but the works slowed down and the basilica never got completed. --- In July 2016 the relics where on display in the center of the basilica´s choir, flanked by the choir stalls. The skull.

The "Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine" in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (pop. ~ 14.000) is one of the largest and most important Gothic churches in of the Provence. - As I have uploaded many fotos taken here during previous visits, I will now add only a few.. - A small merovingien church existed here, until a sarcophagus was discovered inside the church´s crypt in 1279. The inscription made clear, that this was the tomb of Mary Magdalene. Her relics had been venerated in Vezeley since the early 11th century. This had made Vezelay Abbey to a major starting point for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. According to a legend a monk named Baudillon brought the relics of Maria Magdalene from Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume to Vezelay. In 1058 Pope Stephen IX had confirmed the authenticity of the relics. It was undisputed that Maria Magdalena was one of the The "Three Marys", who had fled the Holy Land by a miraculous boat and landed at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. After having worked as a sucessful missionar, she retired to a cave in the near mountains. She was buried in a crypt in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, from where the relics had been transferred to Vezelay. The discovery of the tomb in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in 1279 was a very clever "marketing" plot, that put the pilgrim business in Vezelay to a sudden end. Charles II of Anjou, King of Naples founded the Basilique Ste. Marie-Madeleine in 1295. Pope Boniface VIII placed it under the new order of Dominicans. The basilica was built over the crypt (where the tomb was found) but the works slowed down and the basilica never got completed. --- In July 2016 the relics where on display in the center of the basilica´s choir, flanked by the choir stalls.

The "Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine" in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (pop. ~ 14.000) is not only one of the largest but as most important Gothic churches in of the Provence. A small merovingien church existed here, until a sarcophagus was discovered inside the church´s crypt in 1279. The inscription made clear, that this was the tomb of Mary Magdalene. Her relics had been venerated in Vezeley since the early 11th century. Numerous pilgrims had headed to her relics since then and had made Vezelay Abbey to a major starting point for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. According to legend a monk named Baudillon or Badilo brought the relics of Maria Magdalene from Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume to Vezelay through fear of the Saracens. In 1058 Pope Stephen IX had confirmed the authenticity of the relics. Until that time it was undisputed that Maria Magdalena was one of the The "Three Marys", who had fled the Holy Land by a miraculous boat and landed at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. After having worked as a sucessful missionar, she retired to a cave in the near mountains. She was buried in a crypt in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, from where the relics had been transferred to Vezelay. The discovery of the tomb in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in 1279, a very clever "marketing" plus political patronage finally ended the pilgrim business in Vezelay. Charles II of Anjou, King of Naples founded the Basilique Ste. Marie-Madeleine in 1295. The basilica had the blessing of Pope Boniface VIII, who had taken Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume´s side, and placed the basilica under the new order of Dominicans. The basilica was built over the crypt (where the tomb was found) but the works slowed down and continued until 1532, when it was decided to leave the basilica without a finished west front or belltowers. Light is dim in the crypt, where the sarcophagus was discovered in 1279. The crypt is indeed Gallo-Roman, dated to the 4th century. A skull is on display behind a metal screen.

The "Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine" in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (pop. ~ 14.000) is not only one of the largest but as most important Gothic churches in of the Provence. A small merovingien church existed here, until a sarcophagus was discovered inside the church´s crypt in 1279. The inscription made clear, that this was the tomb of Mary Magdalene. Her relics had been venerated in Vezeley since the early 11th century. Numerous pilgrims had headed to her relics since then and had made Vezelay Abbey to a major starting point for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. According to legend a monk named Baudillon or Badilo brought the relics of Maria Magdalene from Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume to Vezelay through fear of the Saracens. In 1058 Pope Stephen IX had confirmed the authenticity of the relics. Until that time it was undisputed that Maria Magdalena was one of the The "Three Marys", who had fled the Holy Land by a miraculous boat and landed at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. After having worked as a sucessful missionar, she retired to a cave in the near mountains. She was buried in a crypt in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, from where the relics had been transferred to Vezelay. The discovery of the tomb in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in 1279, a very clever "marketing" plus political patronage finally ended the pilgrim business in Vezelay. Charles II of Anjou, King of Naples founded the Basilique Ste. Marie-Madeleine in 1295. The basilica had the blessing of Pope Boniface VIII, who had taken Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume´s side, and placed the basilica under the new order of Dominicans. The basilica was built over the crypt (where the tomb was found) but the works slowed down and continued until 1532, when it was decided to leave the basilica without a finished west front or belltowers. This is the crypt, where the sarcophagus was discovered in 1279. The crypt is indeed Gallo-Roman, dated to the 4th century. The Saint Maria Magdalene´s relics are on display behind the metal screen in the back.

Legends tell, that here, near a holy spring, Gallic druids met to worship a pagan wooden statue of a woman, when Dionysius of Paris (aka "Saint Denis") and his disciple Saint Yon christianized the area in the 3rd century. Dionysius discovered that the pagan idol in deed was a statue of the virgin ("virginia partitura"). This was a place of pilgrimage since very early times, being the oldest place of Marian devotion of Ile-de-France. Local nobility founded a convent in 1031 and added this as a priory to the Cluny-network around 1060. The convent went through very difficult times, but managed to exist up to the French Revolution. The property then got confiscated and was finally sold to a Swiss investor. The church, now serving the parish, was ruined. The old, unstable tower got demolished in 1794. During the early 19th century, the civil authorities warned people to enter the ruined church, that was ready for demolition. There were plans about replacing the ruin by a new, smaller building. Finally, after decades long discussions about financing, only parts of the church got demolished and the rebuilding process started in the second half of the century. For a long time, the convent, being a place of pilgrimage, was known for the many relics that could be worshipped here. After the raids of French Revolution most valuable shrines were lost, as they got melted down. Here are some new reliquaries, produced in the 19th century.

The Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel") was part of the Palais de la Cité, residence of the French Royals between 10th and 14th century. The chapel was built, to house Louis IX's vast collection of relics, including the Crown of Thorns, the Image of Edessa and the point of the "Holy Lance" - and many more prominent relics. Saint Louis (aka Louis IX) had purchased the "Passion Relics" from Baldwin II, unfortunate emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, for 135,000 livres. The money was actually paid to the Venetians, to whom the relics had been pawned. Begun around 1239 and consecrated in 1248, the Sainte-Chapelle is considered among the highest achievements of the Gothic architecture. A fire damaged the chapel 1630, that got restored after that. The chapel suffered its most grievous destruction during the French Revolution, when the steeple got removed and many of the precious reliquaries were melted down. Reconstruction and restoration was done in the 1840s/1850s. Here are more than 600m² of stained glass, about 1/3 was destroyed and had to be replaced within the 19th century. The light is breathtaking! The sights are neck breaking. This is a fantastic place. This was a sensation, absolutely impressing, when it was completed around 800 years ago - and it still is. sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/

The Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel") was part of the Palais de la Cité, residence of the French Royals between 10th and 14th century. The chapel was built, to house Louis IX's vast collection of relics, including the Crown of Thorns, the Image of Edessa and the point of the "Holy Lance" - and many more prominent relics. Saint Louis (aka Louis IX) had purchased the "Passion Relics" from Baldwin II, unfortunate emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, for 135,000 livres. The money was actually paid to the Venetians, to whom the relics had been pawned. Begun around 1239 and consecrated in 1248, the Sainte-Chapelle is considered among the highest achievements of the Gothic architecture. A fire damaged the chapel 1630, that got restored after that. The chapel suffered its most grievous destruction during the French Revolution, when the steeple got removed and many of the precious reliquaries were melted down. Reconstruction and restoration was done in the 1840s/1850s. Here are more than 600m² of stained glass, about 1/3 was destroyed and had to be replaced within the 19th century. The light is breathtaking! The sights are neck breaking. This is a fantastic place. This was a sensation, absolutely impressing, when it was completed around 800 years ago - and it still is. sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/

The Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel") was part of the Palais de la Cité, residence of the French Royals between 10th and 14th century. The chapel was built, to house Louis IX's vast collection of relics, including the Crown of Thorns, the Image of Edessa and the point of the "Holy Lance" - and many more prominent relics. Saint Louis (aka Louis IX) had purchased the "Passion Relics" from Baldwin II, unfortunate emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, for 135,000 livres. The money was actually paid to the Venetians, to whom the relics had been pawned. Begun around 1239 and consecrated in 1248, the Sainte-Chapelle is considered among the highest achievements of the Gothic architecture. A fire damaged the chapel 1630, that got restored after that. The chapel suffered its most grievous destruction during the French Revolution, when the steeple got removed and many of the precious reliquaries were melted down. Reconstruction and restoration was done in the 1840s/1850s. Here are more than 600m² of stained glass, about 1/3 was destroyed and had to be replaced within the 19th century. The light is breathtaking! The sights are neck breaking. This is a fantastic place. This was a sensation, absolutely impressing, when it was completed around 800 years ago - and it still is. sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/

The Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel") was part of the Palais de la Cité, residence of the French Royals between 10th and 14th century. The chapel was built, to house Louis IX's vast collection of relics, including the Crown of Thorns, the Image of Edessa and the point of the "Holy Lance" - and many more prominent relics. Saint Louis (aka Louis IX) had purchased the "Passion Relics" from Baldwin II, unfortunate emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, for 135,000 livres. The money was actually paid to the Venetians, to whom the relics had been pawned. Begun around 1239 and consecrated in 1248, the Sainte-Chapelle is considered among the highest achievements of the Gothic architecture. A fire damaged the chapel 1630, that got restored after that. The chapel suffered its most grievous destruction during the French Revolution, when the steeple got removed and many of the precious reliquaries were melted down. Reconstruction and restoration was done in the 1840s/1850s. Here are more than 600m² of stained glass, about 1/3 was destroyed and had to be replaced within the 19th century. The light is breathtaking! The sights are neck breaking. This is a fantastic place. This was a sensation, absolutely impressing, when it was completed around 800 years ago - and it still is. sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/

The Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel") was part of the Palais de la Cité, residence of the French Royals between 10th and 14th century. The chapel was built, to house Louis IX's vast collection of relics, including the Crown of Thorns, the Image of Edessa and the point of the "Holy Lance" - and many more prominent relics. Saint Louis (aka Louis IX) had purchased the "Passion Relics" from Baldwin II, unfortunate emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, for 135,000 livres. The money was actually paid to the Venetians, to whom the relics had been pawned. Begun around 1239 and consecrated in 1248, the Sainte-Chapelle is considered among the highest achievements of the Gothic architecture. A fire damaged the chapel 1630, that got restored after that. The chapel suffered its most grievous destruction during the French Revolution, when the steeple got removed and many of the precious reliquaries were melted down. Later the revolutionists tried to sell the ruined building. It was even discussed to knock it down. Reconstruction and restoration was done in the 1840s/1850s. The chapel has two floors, both have a portal. Seen here is the larger one. "The Last Judgement" is a "traditional" theme for 1240. The graves open, a psychostasia in the center between them. The hell is to the right, the heaven to the left. Christ, seated on a throne, flanked by two angels, who held the Crown of Thorns, the "Holy Lance" and the "True Cross". sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/

The Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel") was part of the Palais de la Cité, residence of the French Royals between 10th and 14th century. The chapel was built, to house Louis IX's vast collection of relics, including the Crown of Thorns, the Image of Edessa and the point of the "Holy Lance" - and many more prominent relics. Saint Louis (aka Louis IX) had purchased the "Passion Relics" from Baldwin II, unfortunate emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, for 135,000 livres. The money was actually paid to the Venetians, to whom the relics had been pawned. Begun around 1239 and consecrated in 1248, the Sainte-Chapelle is considered among the highest achievements of the Gothic architecture. A fire damaged the chapel 1630, that got restored after that. The chapel suffered its most grievous destruction during the French Revolution, when the steeple got removed and many of the precious reliquaries were melted down. Later the revolutionists tried to sell the ruined building. It was even discussed to knock it down. The reconstruction and restoration was done in the 1840s/1850s. The chapel has two levels, both have a portal, seen here. The tympana are results of the reconstruction, as most statues here had been vandalized. sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/

The Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel") was part of the Palais de la Cité, residence of the French Royals between 10th and 14th century. The chapel was built, to house Louis IX's vast collection of relics, including the Crown of Thorns, the Image of Edessa and the point of the "Holy Lance" - and many more prominent relics. Begun around 1239 and consecrated in 1248, the Sainte-Chapelle is considered among the highest achievements of the Gothic architecture. The Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie are the last remaining structures of the former Palais de la Cité. After the Royals moved out, the buildings were used for the administration. Between 1793 and 1795 the offices of the "Tribunal révolutionnaire" were here. In the Conciergerie, then a prison, Marie Antoinette, Danton, de Robespierre waited to ascend the scaffold. Today the buildings around the Sainte-Chapelle form the "Palais de Justice". The chapel, once a huge reliquary for Louis IX's collection, was under renovation. Saint Louis (aka Louis IX) had purchased the "Passion Relics" from Baldwin II, unfortunate emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, for 135,000 livres. The money was actually paid to the Venetians, to whom the relics had been pawned. As this did not solve the financial straits completly fro Baldwin II, he later pawned his only son to the Venetians. The relics arrived in Paris in August 1239, - and some of them are now in the treasury of nearby Notre-Dame Cathedral. sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr