Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: sickle

Santa Maria della Pieve was erected over the remains of an earlier church from the early 12th century on. It was was the stronghold of the city's struggle against its feudal bishops, who were building the nearby Cathedral and a palace, that was rather a castle just outside the city walls. It took about two centuries to complete Santa Maria della Pieve, and so there is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Most unusual is the the facade faces this small street (today "Corso Italia"), while the apse borders to the Piazza Grande. Originally the rectangular facade had no special features, but already end of the 12th century it got changed. There is a five-arch lower floor surmounted by three loggias. Here is a detail of one of the arches. This side is much better preserved than the opposite one (previous upload) The "Labours of the Months". HIC.EST.OCTOBER - HIC.EST.NOVEMBER - HIC.EST.DECEMBER HIC.EST.MARTIUS - HIC.EST.FEBRUARIUS (mirror) - HIC.EST.BIFRONS.IANUARIUS Why has the person symbolising IANUARIUS two faces (=bifrons)? These sculptures are attributed to the "School of Benedetto Antelami", a sculptor and architect (~ 1150 – 1230) best known for his works in Parma.

Not much is known about the history of Saint-Denis. The first documents mentioning it, are only a few centuries old. It was probably erected within the 12th century, but modified and enlarged during the next centuries. Mid of the 19th century the structure was ruined and ready for demolition. In 1862, the nave was separated from transept and choir. It got renovated and the local school opened here. Soon after, the mairie moved, later apartments for the teachers were built. The rest of the ruined structure got restored and since then serves the parish again. Some parts of the first Romanesque church survived the times and all later modifications. This is clearly younger and got created, when the transept got Gothic vaults. There are three icons. To the left is a peasant with a spade and a sickle. The right one may depicts the head of a bull/cow. The creature in the center is a large, four legged flying insect. Probably an unknown chimera. All together may stand for a noble house, a family that funded the vaulting.