Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Eden

The construction of the "Duomo" began in 1064 by the architect Busketo, who set the model for the distinctive Pisan Romanesque style of architecture. When the construction of this cathedral started, Pisa was on a height of political (and financial) power. Pisa was an important commercial centre controlling large parts of the Mediterranean merchant fleet and navy. In 1017 Pisa had militarily supported the Sardinian "Giudicati" (regional kings) to defeat Saracen troops in the north of Sardinia. Between 1030 and 1035, Pisa defeated rival towns in Sicily. In 1051–1052 Jacopo Ciurini conquered Corsica. In 1063 Giovanni Orlando took Palermo from the Saracen. The gold treasure taken from the Saracens in Palermo allowed the Pisans to start the building of the cathedral. The bronze doors of the cathedral´s Porta San Ranieri survived the fire, that severely damaged the cathedral in 1595. The doors (see previous uploads) were sculpted by Bonanus of Pisa around 1180. Here is a detail: The Magi approaching Bethlehem. Below them scenes from the Garden of Eden.

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288. Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³ Back to the western facade od the cathedral. The base of the central trumeau is decorated with three scenes from the story of Adam and Eve. The creation of Eve, accepting the apple from a snake (with a human head), working hard on the field, after the expulsion from Eden.