Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Nebuchadnezzar

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus. A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got rebuilt, altered and enlarged many times over the centuries. The beautiful cloister, next to the basilica, was erected mid 12th century. It got restored end of teh 15th century, but 37 of the 42 original capitals are still "in situ". The now darkgrey capitals were white, when they were carved. The story of the Shadrak, Mishak, and Abednego in the furnace. The had refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar´s new image of gold. Daniel 3:19-21 "Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace."

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin". As the church went trough the Wars of Religions and the French Revolution many of the carvings are damaged. Seen here are some details from the frieze over the left blind arch. To the very left are Adam and Eve chatting with the snake. The name of their neighbour is written behind him "NABUCADNOSOR REX" (aka "Nebuchadnezzar", "Nabuchodonosor"), probably dreaming in the sun. Following are four saints, probably the evangelists, two of them hold bibles. I cannot decipher the inscriptions. To the right a large angel talking to a saint. In the triangle below them is a very strange, frightening three-headed creature. Note the traces of colours near the angel.