Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: banner

The exact age of the St.-Peters Church in Linden (about 6kms south of Giessen) is unknown. The church is placed on a once strongly fortified hill, mentioned in the Lorsch codex. A smaller Carolingian chapel had been here already as early as 810/820, foundations of this chapel have been found during a restauration. The church was probably erected within the 12th century. The romanesque portal is the outstanding feature of St.-Peters. It was carved around 1220/1230 and originally it had been on the southern entrance of the church, but was moved to the western facade. There are only a few of these portals in Germany - and this one is pretty unique, though it is weathered and difficult to "read". One theory claims, that the carvings are connected to the legend of Saint Wenceslaus I, the Duke of Bohemia. Saint "Wenzel" was murdered by his brother. Soon after his "martyrdom" several hagiographies were (told and) written - and these were very popular within the middle ages. Both sides have very weathered lions. From this position only the little sinner in the lion´s mouth can be seen. This is the left side, next to the door, sideview. The carvings are weathered and kind of "clumsy", compare with the qualities of work, that can be found in France and Spain. On the left - a person, holding a flag or banner with five tails. His bearded head is strangely bent sidewards. He probably "accompanies" the person seen on the frontview. On the right - a siren - and below a huge snake. The parish has a website about the history of the church (in German): www.ev-kirche-gr-linden.de/kirchengelaende.html

Cazères is another old bastide town. Notre Dame, the towns recently restaurated parish church, was erected 13th/14th century on the banks of the River Garonne. Though the "official" Via Tolosana, that I walked some years ago, runs further north (Toulouse-Auch), there were many other ways, the pilgrims could choose. Cazères was one of the places along the Via Garona, where it was easy to cross the river. Cazères had a "hopital" and a "confrérie" to support the pilgrims. Today this is the "SOCIÉTÉ de SAINT JACQUES". The members have niceley decorated the side chapel. There may be even a procession, as here are two banners. ultreia.pagesperso-orange.fr/confcaz.htm

Bruges already had its city charter in 1128 and was a very important member of the Hanseatic League. It was the prospering center of the Flemish cloth industry. Most merchandise was punted on boats through the city. The large cog-ships were moored in the harbor. Between 1200 and 1500 Bruges had a kind of "Golden Era". Bruges was a leading European business community, - a large group of innovative and daring entrepreneurs. Bruges lost importance and declined over the next centuries. There was no need for new buildings - and so many houses of the historic city centre, meanwhile a World Heritage Site of UNESCO, date back to the "Golden Era". About 2.000.000 tourists visit Bruges annually, so it can get pretty crowded Here. The streets are decorated with banners flapping in the wind. Seen in the background is the Sint-Salvator Cathedral. The cathedral was a parish church until the 19th century. As the French revolutionary occupiers not only had kicked the bishop out of Bruges, but as well had teared down his residence the Sint-Donaaskathedraal in the late 18th century, this church obtained the status of a cathedral, when the bishop returned to Bruges in 1834.

There are two products, this small town, near Riom is pretty famous for. There are the black stones from Volvic, used all over the Auvergne. The gothic cathedral in Clermont-Ferrand is built from the black stones, coming from Volvic. The younger product is the "Volvic" mineral water. Zillions of plastic bottles, filled with Volvic-water leave this place every week or month. Long time before Danone (Evian, Badoit, La Salvetat....) entered the stage in Volvic, this place was owned by St. Priest (aka Priest de Clermont, aka Saint Praejectus), bishop of Clermont. St. Priest was stabbed to death here in 676 and immediately was venerated as a martyr. His sucessor Avitor founded an abbey here, that later was depending from Mozac (1169). The capitals in St. Priest do not have the wonderful, sleek elegance of the carvings seen in the former abbey church in Mozac (5kms east) or Notre-Dame-Du-Port in Clermont-Ferrand (15kms south), but they use the same "icons", that are so typical all over the Auvergne: sirens, griffons, eagles.. Four angels around a capital, holding banners with the names of the four evangelists. Here to be seen "MATEUS".