Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Via Aurelia

Just about 12 kms north of Arles was an "interchange" during Roman times, as the Via Aurelia Domitia linked to the Via Aurelia here. Centuries later a chapel was erected near this once important place, first recorded in 858. This was the predecessor of the chapel seen today, built end of the 12th century. It is surrounded by olive trees and was watched over by a fortified castle on the hill. While the fortification is in ruins, the chapel, dedicated to Saint Gabriel, is still in a good condition. I had been here before, but as the chapel is always locked, I had never been inside. Talking to the archeologists it came out, that they had the key to the front door - and so I had a chance to get inside. Compared to the elaborate carvings of the western facade, the single nave and the choir of the chapel are straight and simple. Facing east to the choir.

Just about 12 kms north of Arles was an "interchange" during Roman times, as the Via Aurelia Domitia linked to the Via Aurelia here. Centuries later a chapel was erected near this once important place, first recorded in 858. This was the predecessor of the chapel seen today, built end of the 12th century. It is surrounded by olive trees and was watched over by a fortified castle on the hill. While the fortification is in ruins, the chapel, dedicated to Saint Gabriel, is still in a good condition. Compared to the carving at the oculus and the ornaments around, the tympanum just like the relief above, seems to be created in a very different, "archaic" style. Maybe pre-Romanesque. My first impression was, that it is older than this chapel, a re-used spolia, but I could not find any information about. Seen on the right "Adam and Eve", to the left (short-legged) "Daniel in the Lion´s Den. Above them an angel. When I had closer look I saw, that Daniel is not alone in the den (with the lions), as Habakkuk has arrived. Habakuk is placed behind the right lion. He his bringing a small basket with food. The angel hold Habakkuk by his hair. Note, that the angel´s and a few feathers of his left wing are visible below the horizontal beam. Apocrypha 14 "Now the prophet Habakkuk was in Judea. He had boiled pottage and had broken bread into a bowl, and was going into the field to take it to the reapers. But the angel of the Lord said to Habakkuk, "Take the dinner which you have to Babylon, to Daniel, in the lions' den." Habakkuk said, "Sir, I have never seen Babylon, and I know nothing about the den." Then the angel of the Lord took him by the crown of his head, and lifted him by his hair and set him down in Babylon, right over the den, with the rushing sound of the wind itself."

Just about 12 kms north of Arles was an "interchange" during Roman times, as the Via Aurelia Domitia linked to the Via Aurelia here. Centuries later a chapel was erected near this once important place, first recorded in 858. This was the predecessor of the chapel seen today, built end of the 12th century. It is surrounded by olive trees and was watched over by a fortified castle on the hill. While the fortification is in ruins, the chapel, dedicated to Saint Gabriel, is still in a good condition. Compared to the carving at the oculus and the ornaments around, this relief seems rough. It is carved in a very different, "archaic" style. Maybe pre-Romanesque. My first impression was, that it is older than this chapel, a re-used spolia, but I could not find any information about. Even the two archeolgists working nearby did not know anything about, as they concentrated on much older remains in the ground. Seen is the "Annunciation" and the "Visitation". The "Angelic Salutation" and the names of the three characters seen are written in stone - just above the relief. AVE MARIA GRA(TIA) PLENA D(OMI)N(U)S TECU(M) ANGELUS GABRIHEL S(ANCTA) MARIA MATERD(OMI)NI ELISABETH

Just about 12 kms north of Arles was an "interchange" during Roman times, as the Via Aurelia Domitia linked to the Via Aurelia here. Centuries later a chapel was erected near this once important place, first recorded in 858. This was the predecessor of the chapel seen today, built end of the 12th century. It is surrounded by olive trees and was watched over by a fortified castle on the hill. While the fortification is in ruins, the chapel, dedicated to Saint Gabriel, is still in a good condition. The western portal is built like a Roman aedicula with Corinthian columns and seems inspired by the many Roman buildings, that still existed within the 12th century. There are two interesting Romanesque reliefs seen here.

Just about 12 kms north of Arles was an "interchange" during Roman times, as the Via Aurelia Domitia linked to the Via Aurelia here. Centuries later a chapel was erected near this once important place, first recorded in 858. This was the predecessor of the chapel seen today, built end of the 12th century. It is surrounded by olive trees and was watched over by a fortified castle on the hill. While the fortification is in ruins, the chapel, dedicated to Saint Gabriel, is still in a good condition. The "oculus" under the gable of the western facade. - A subtle, very detailed carving and an impressing tetramorph. Only the head of the eagle got lost. Very different carvings styles and technics can be found at the Saint-Gabriel chapel. The master, who created this part was very "advanced" compared to his collegues.

Just about 12 kms north of Arles was an "interchange" during Roman times, as the Via Aurelia Domitia linked to the Via Aurelia here. Centuries later a chapel was erected near this once important place, first recorded in 858. This was the predecessor of the chapel seen today, built end of the 12th century. It is surrounded by olive trees and was watched over by a fortified castle on the hill. While the fortification is in ruins, the chapel, dedicated to Saint Gabriel, is still in a good condition. I was lucky to meet two archeologists there.

Alyscamps (from Latin "allissi campi" = Champs-Élysées or Elysian Fields) was a Roman necropole next to the "Via Aurelia" just outside the walls of the Christian martyrs have been buried here, so it not only became a center of pilgrimage, but as well was used as a burial ground untile medieval times. There are still hundreds of sarcophags all around, though the most valuable ones are in the local museum meanwhile. The church of Saint Honoratus, built on pre-roman foundations 12th and 13th century, but has lots of addons and "renovations". This was a gathering point for pilgrims walking the Via Tolosana. The "Codex Calixtus" from 1139 mentions the tomb of Saint Honoratus. The Alyscamp, we see today, is much smaller than it was before, as the building of the railroad in the 19th. century cut off the southern part (nowadays a ruined industry areal). Most of the sarcophags and the walls of the church are covered with carved graffitis. A graffiti on one of the many old sarcophags outside the church St. Honroratus. I cannot read the two initials (or maybe symbols) in the middle. Below them the year 1937 - and on top a ship, with two masts, two chimneys, a long row of bull´s eyes and a large flag.

Alyscamps (from Latin "allissi campi" = Champs-Élysées or Elysian Fields) was a Roman necropole next to the "Via Aurelia" just outside the walls of the Christian martyrs have been buried here, so it not only became a center of pilgrimage, but as well was used as a burial ground untile medieval times. There are still hundreds of sarcophags all around, though the most valuable ones are in the local museum meanwhile. The church of Saint Honoratus, built on pre-roman foundations 12th and 13th century, but has lots of addons and "renovations". This was a gathering point for pilgrims walking the Via Tolosana. The "Codex Calixtus" from 1139 mentions the tomb of Saint Honoratus. The Alyscamp, we see today, is much smaller than it was before, as the building of the railroad in the 19th. century cut off the southern part (nowadays a ruined industry areal). Most of the sarcophags and the walls of the church are covered with carved graffitis. A graffiti on one of the outer walls of the church St. Honroratus. Unfortunately the name (top row) is lost. Somebody erased it. The graffiti was carved in by a "soldier" in "1869". Then there is "99- de Ligne", what is the "99e régiment d'infanterie de ligne", a famous regiment, created in (german) Zweibruecken (Deux-Ponts) in 1757 and at that time named "Régiment royal Deux-Ponts". In 1780 this regiment was sent to North America, to support the Americans in their fight for independence, and so took part in the Battle of Yorktown in 1781. Here you´ll find much more: english: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Deux-Ponts_Regiment french: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/99e_r%C3%A9giment_d%27infanterie_de... german: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Deux-Ponts

Alyscamps (from Latin "allissi campi" = Champs-Élysées or Elysian Fields) was a Roman necropole next to the "Via Aurelia" just outside Arles. Early Christian martyrs have been buried here, so it not only became a center of pilgrimage, but as well was used as a burial ground untile medieval times. There are still hundreds of sarcophags all around, though the most valuable ones are in the local museum meanwhile. The church of Saint Honoratus, was built on pre-roman foundations 12th and 13th century, but has lots of addons and "renovations". This was a gathering point for pilgrims walking the Via Tolosana. The "Codex Calixtus" from 1139 mentions the tomb of Saint Honoratus. The Alyscamp, we see today, is much smaller than it was before, as the building of the railroad in the 19th. century cut off a big part (now a ruined industry areal). Most of the sarcophags and the walls of the church are covered with carved graffitis. On an outer wall of St. Honoratus. There are layers of many graffitis, some rather weathered. Middle row of stones two small horseshoes / two "signs", maybe letters, 84 / ETIEVANT ???? Bottom row of stones: Piton / 1 JANer 1887, E. LEVY.E / TANET AUGUSTE LE ?? JUIN 1873. Where I put the ? in, I cannot read. There are more smaller ones to the right, but I can´t read them either.

Alyscamps (from Latin "allissi campi" = Champs-Élysées or Elysian Fields) was a Roman necropole next to the "Via Aurelia" just outside the walls of the Christian martyrs have been buried here, so it not only became a center of pilgrimage, but as well was used as a burial ground untile medieval times. There are still hundreds of sarcophags all around, though the most valuable ones are in the local museum meanwhile. The church of Saint Honoratus, built on pre-roman foundations 12th and 13th century, but has lots of addons and "renovations". This was a gathering point for pilgrims walking the Via Tolosana. The "Codex Calixtus" from 1139 mentions the tomb of Saint Honoratus. The Alyscamp, we see today, is much smaller than it was before, as the building of the railroad in the 19th. century cut off the southern part (nowadays a ruined industry areal). Most of the sarcophags and the walls of the church are covered with carved graffitis. Near to one of the entrances of St. Honoratus , there is a horizontal anchor and a horseshoe. The horseshoe may connected to medieval pilgrimage.

Alyscamps (from Latin "allissi campi" = Champs-Élysées or Elysian Fields) was a Roman necropole next to the "Via Aurelia" just outside the walls. Christian martyrs have been buried here, so it not only became a centre of pilgrimage but as well was used as a burial ground until medieval times. There are still hundreds of sarcophags all around, though the most valuable ones are in the local museum meanwhile. The church of Saint Honoratus, built on pre-romanesque foundations 12th and 13th century, but has lots of addons and "renovations". This was a major meeting point for pilgrims walking the Via Tolosana. the "Codex Calixtus" from 1139 mentions the tomb of Saint Honoratus. The Alyscamp, we see today, is much smaller than it was before, as the construction of the railroad in the 19th. century cut off a big part (nowadays a ruined industry areal). Most of the sarcophags and the walls of the church are covered with carved graffitis. In 1888 Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin have painted here side by side. Three paintings of Alyscamps still exist.