Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Saint-Étienne

Moudon, today a town with a population of about 6000, was called Minnodunum. In Roman times. Moudon was under the influence of the Savoy already in the early 13th century and became an important Savoyard base in Waadt / Vaud. Around 1260, under Peter of Savoy, it became the residence of the Savoy bailiff in Vaud. The importance of Moudon increased rapidly. The town area expanded and was surrounded by new walls. In 1285, Moudon was granted town privileges. Especially in the 14th and 15th centuries, the town flourished as an administrative center and of the Vaudois estates. With the conquest of Vaud by Bern in 1536, Moudon came under Bernese rule. The Reformation was introduced. The church was first mentioned in 1134, even though it may have been built earlier. It was situated outside the medieval village. The church was nicknamed "the cathedral of Broye", a region around the Broye River, by the residents of Moudon. After a bell tower was added in 1420, the church was enlarged and renovated between 1495 and 1499, then again between 1499 and 1502. Paintings were added to the vaults between 1506 and 1511. After the conquest by the canton of Bern in 1536, the side altars and the statues of the church were destroyed and the building became a Reformed temple. Some people must have been so disturbed by the nudity of the little mermaid that they amputated her breasts.

Moudon, today a town with a population of about 6000, was called Minnodunum. In Roman times. Moudon was under the influence of the Savoy already in the early 13th century and became an important Savoyard base in Waadt / Vaud. Around 1260, under Peter of Savoy, it became the residence of the Savoy bailiff in Vaud. The importance of Moudon increased rapidly. The town area expanded and was surrounded by new walls. In 1285, Moudon was granted town privileges. Especially in the 14th and 15th centuries, the town flourished as an administrative center and of the Vaudois estates. With the conquest of Vaud by Bern in 1536, Moudon came under Bernese rule. The Reformation was introduced. The church was first mentioned in 1134, even though it may have been built earlier. It was situated outside the medieval village. The church was nicknamed "the cathedral of Broye", a region around the Broye River, by the residents of Moudon. After a bell tower was added in 1420, the church was enlarged and renovated between 1495 and 1499, then again between 1499 and 1502. Paintings were added to the vaults between 1506 and 1511. After the conquest by the canton of Bern in 1536, the side altars and the statues of the church were destroyed and the building became a Reformed temple. There is a second elephant in this church! What is certain is that there was an elephant in Switzerland around 1650, but I think this misericord is older. The anatomical correctness is surprising, but unlike the previous carving, here the tusks grow out of the upper jaw. It could be "Hanno", the Indian elephant given to Pope Leo X by King Emmanuel I of Portugal. Hanno came to Rome in 1514 and only survived there for two years. There are numerous drawings and woodcuts by Hanno that have been circulated throughout Europe. Historically younger is "Soleiman", also an Indian elephant, which was a gift from the daughter of Emperor Charles V and Isabella of Portugal to Maximilian, the Emperor's nephew and later Emperor Maximilian II. Accompanied by Maximilian and a sizeable entourage, Soleiman crossed the Hispanic peninsula to Barcelona, from where he was embarked for Genoa. On November 12, 1551, Soliman reached Genoa. On land, the route continued north. In December the procession reached Trento through the Adige Valley. The procession followed the route over the Brenner Pass from Trento. At the end of February the convoy reached Passau and on March 6, 1552 Soliman arrived in Vienna. Barely a year and a half after his arrival in Vienna, on December 18, 1553, Soleiman died.

Moudon, today a town with a population of about 6000, was called Minnodunum. In Roman times. Moudon was under the influence of the Savoy already in the early 13th century and became an important Savoyard base in Waadt / Vaud. Around 1260, under Peter of Savoy, it became the residence of the Savoy bailiff in Vaud. The importance of Moudon increased rapidly. The town area expanded and was surrounded by new walls. In 1285, Moudon was granted town privileges. Especially in the 14th and 15th centuries, the town flourished as an administrative center and of the Vaudois estates. With the conquest of Vaud by Bern in 1536, Moudon came under Bernese rule. The Reformation was introduced. The church was first mentioned in 1134, even though it may have been built earlier. It was situated outside the medieval village. The church was nicknamed "the cathedral of Broye", a region around the Broye River, by the residents of Moudon. After a bell tower was added in 1420, the church was enlarged and renovated between 1495 and 1499, then again between 1499 and 1502. Paintings were added to the vaults between 1506 and 1511. After the conquest by the canton of Bern in 1536, the side altars and the statues of the church were destroyed and the building became a Reformed temple. There are some very imaginative misericords in the choir stalls. An elephant! What is certain is that there was an elephant in Switzerland around 1650, but I think that this misericord is older. The anatomical correctness is surprising. It could be "Hanno", the Indian elephant given to Pope Leo X by King Emmanuel I of Portugal. Hanno came to Rome in 1514 and only survived there for two years. There are numerous drawings and woodcuts by Hanno that have been circulated throughout Europe. Historically younger is "Soleiman", also an Indian elephant, which was a gift from the daughter of Emperor Charles V and Isabella of Portugal to Maximilian, the Emperor's nephew and later Emperor Maximilian II. Accompanied by Maximilian and a sizeable entourage, Soleiman crossed the Hispanic peninsula to Barcelona, from where he was embarked for Genoa. On November 12, 1551, Soliman reached Genoa. On land, the route continued north. In December the procession reached Trento through the Adige Valley. The procession followed the route over the Brenner Pass from Trento. At the end of February the convoy reached Passau and on March 6, 1552 Soliman arrived in Vienna. Barely a year and a half after his arrival in Vienna, on December 18, 1553, Soleiman died.

Moudon, today a town with a population of about 6000, was called Minnodunum. In Roman times. Moudon was under the influence of the Savoy already in the early 13th century and became an important Savoyard base in Waadt / Vaud. Around 1260, under Peter of Savoy, it became the residence of the Savoy bailiff in Vaud. The importance of Moudon increased rapidly. The town area expanded and was surrounded by new walls. In 1285, Moudon was granted town privileges. Especially in the 14th and 15th centuries, the town flourished as an administrative center and of the Vaudois estates. With the conquest of Vaud by Bern in 1536, Moudon came under Bernese rule. The Reformation was introduced. The church was first mentioned in 1134, even though it may have been built earlier. It was situated outside the medieval village. The church was nicknamed "the cathedral of Broye", a region around the Broye River, by the residents of Moudon. After a bell tower was added in 1420, the church was enlarged and renovated between 1495 and 1499, then again between 1499 and 1502. Paintings were added to the vaults between 1506 and 1511. After the conquest by the canton of Bern in 1536, the side altars and the statues of the church were destroyed and the building became a Reformed temple. There are some very imaginative misericords in the choir stalls. An acrobat

Moudon, today a town with a population of about 6000, was called Minnodunum. In Roman times. Moudon was under the influence of the Savoy already in the early 13th century and became an important Savoyard base in Waadt / Vaud. Around 1260, under Peter of Savoy, it became the residence of the Savoy bailiff in Vaud. The importance of Moudon increased rapidly. The town area expanded and was surrounded by new walls. In 1285, Moudon was granted town privileges. Especially in the 14th and 15th centuries, the town flourished as an administrative center and of the Vaudois estates. With the conquest of Vaud by Bern in 1536, Moudon came under Bernese rule. The Reformation was introduced. The church was first mentioned in 1134, even though it may have been built earlier. It was situated outside the medieval village. The church was nicknamed "the cathedral of Broye", a region around the Broye River, by the residents of Moudon. After a bell tower was added in 1420, the church was enlarged and renovated between 1495 and 1499, then again between 1499 and 1502. Paintings were added to the vaults between 1506 and 1511. After the conquest by the canton of Bern in 1536, the side altars and the statues of the church were destroyed and the building became a Reformed temple. There are some very imaginative misericords in the choir stalls. Two wrestling geese.

Moudon, today a town with a population of about 6000, was called Minnodunum. In Roman times. Moudon was under the influence of the Savoy already in the early 13th century and became an important Savoyard base in Waadt / Vaud. Around 1260, under Peter of Savoy, it became the residence of the Savoy bailiff in Vaud. The importance of Moudon increased rapidly. The town area expanded and was surrounded by new walls. In 1285, Moudon was granted town privileges. Especially in the 14th and 15th centuries, the town flourished as an administrative center and of the Vaudois estates. With the conquest of Vaud by Bern in 1536, Moudon came under Bernese rule. The Reformation was introduced. The church was first mentioned in 1134, even though it may have been built earlier. It was situated outside the medieval village. The church was nicknamed "the cathedral of Broye", a region around the Broye River, by the residents of Moudon. After a bell tower was added in 1420, the church was enlarged and renovated between 1495 and 1499, then again between 1499 and 1502. Paintings were added to the vaults between 1506 and 1511. After the conquest by the canton of Bern in 1536, the side altars and the statues of the church were destroyed and the building became a Reformed temple.

Moudon, today a town with a population of about 6000, was called Minnodunum. In Roman times. Moudon was under the influence of the Savoy already in the early 13th century and became an important Savoyard base in Waadt / Vaud. Around 1260, under Peter of Savoy, it became the residence of the Savoy bailiff in Vaud. The importance of Moudon increased rapidly. The town area expanded and was surrounded by new walls. In 1285, Moudon was granted town privileges. Especially in the 14th and 15th centuries, the town flourished as an administrative center and of the Vaudois estates. With the conquest of Vaud by Bern in 1536, Moudon came under Bernese rule. The Reformation was introduced. The church was first mentioned in 1134, even though it may have been built earlier. It was situated outside the medieval village. The church was nicknamed "the cathedral of Broye", a region around the Broye River, by the residents of Moudon. After a bell tower was added in 1420, the church was enlarged and renovated between 1495 and 1499, then again between 1499 and 1502. Paintings were added to the vaults between 1506 and 1511. After the conquest by the canton of Bern in 1536, the side altars and the statues of the church were destroyed and the building became a Reformed temple.

Moudon, today a town with a population of about 6000, was called Minnodunum. In Roman times. Moudon was under the influence of the Savoy already in the early 13th century and became an important Savoyard base in Waadt / Vaud. Around 1260, under Peter of Savoy, it became the residence of the Savoy bailiff in Vaud. The importance of Moudon increased rapidly. The town area expanded and was surrounded by new walls. In 1285, Moudon was granted town privileges. Especially in the 14th and 15th centuries, the town flourished as an administrative center and of the Vaudois estates. With the conquest of Vaud by Bern in 1536, Moudon came under Bernese rule. The Reformation was introduced. The church was first mentioned in 1134, even though it may have been built earlier. It was situated outside the medieval village. The church was nicknamed "the cathedral of Broye", a region around the Broye River, by the residents of Moudon. After a bell tower was added in 1420, the church was enlarged and renovated between 1495 and 1499, then again between 1499 and 1502. Paintings were added to the vaults between 1506 and 1511. After the conquest by the canton of Bern in 1536, the side altars and the statues of the church were destroyed and the building became a Reformed temple.

The name "Beaulieu" derives from the Latin "bellus locus" translating to "beautiful place", but the seasonal floodings of the Loire river often caused severe damage. Beaulieu was a fortified town during the Middle Ages, what is still visible in the centre. Located right in the middle of the town is Saint Etienne, which was erected within the 11th century. The Romanesque nave has been preserved. The church got altered and modified within the 15th and 16th century. P.S. Beaulieu is the home of the "Chavignol", a cylindrical shaped goat milk cheese.

Saint-Mihiel had a parish church already in the 10th century. The Romanesque structure got renovated and rebuilt in the 13th and enlarged in the 16th century. During the French Revolution, the church was used as a hospital, but got re-consecrated in 1802. Soon plans were made, to broaden the road passing the church, so in 1823 the old belltower, one aisle and the side chapel were demolished. Renaissance sculptor Ligier Richier, a genius of his time, was born in Saint-Mihiel around 1500. One of his major works is the "Mise au Tombeau". The grid, that saves it frim nosy tourists, - and the blue light make it difficult to take a decent photo. It is a fantastic sculpture. Ligier Richier, who had unsuccessfully petitioned the Duke of Lorraine to allow him to practice in the reformed Protestant religion, completed this "entombment", before he left Lorraine and moved to Geneva, where he was free to follow this religion.

Saint-Mihiel had a parish church already in the 10th century. The Romanesque structure got renovated and rebuilt in the 13th and enlarged in the 16th century. During the French Revolution, the church was used as a hospital, but got re-consecrated in 1802. Soon plans were made, to broaden the road passing the church, so in 1823 the old belltower, one aisle and the side chapel were demolished. Renaissance sculptor Ligier Richier, a genius of his time, was born in Saint-Mihiel around 1500. One of his major works is the "Mise au Tombeau". The iron grid, that saves it from nosy tourists, - and the blue light make it difficult to take a decent photo. It is a fantastic sculpture. Ligier Richier, who had unsuccessfully petitioned the Duke of Lorraine to allow him to practice in the reformed Protestant religion, completed this "entombment", before he left Lorraine and moved to Geneva, where he was free to follow this religion.

Saint-Mihiel had a parish church already in the 10th century. The Romanesque structure got renovated and rebuilt in the 13th and enlarged in the 16th century. During the French Revolution, the church was used as a hospital, but got re-consecrated in 1802. Soon plans were made, to broaden the road passing the church, so in 1823 the old belltower, one aisle and the side chapel were demolished. Renaissance sculptor Ligier Richier, a genius of his time, was born in Saint-Mihiel around 1500. One of his major works, the "Mise au Tombeau" (Christ being placed in the tomb) is here, seen behind the metal grid. Ligier Richier, who had unsuccessfully petitioned the Duke of Lorraine to allow him to practice in the reformed Protestant religion, completed this "entombment", before he left Lorraine and moved to Geneva, where he was free to follow this religion.

Saint-Mihiel developed around a convent founded by Count Wulfoalde and his wife Adalsinde around 708. This settlement had a parish church already in the 10th century. The Romanesque structure got renovated and rebuilt in the 13th and enlarged in the 16th century. During the French Revolution, the church was used as a hospital, but got re-consecrated in 1802. Soon plans were made, to broaden the road passing the church. So in 1823 the old belltower, one aisle and the side chapel were demolished and the facade was rebuilt. Renaissance sculptor Ligier Richier was born in Saint-Mihiel around 1500. One of his major works is inside Saint-Étienne.

The church was known already in the 11th century, when it was located outside the city walls. In 1180 this church burnt down and got rebuilt in the 12th/13th century in the in a late Romanesque style. The collegiate church served the parish, while the Bishop tried to erect only about 400 metres away the huge cathedral in the "modern" Gothic style. So it was decided, to replace the Romanesque, "old fashioned" church here with a new one, as well in Gothic style. The Romanesque choir got teared down. Around 1520 the late Gothic choir with side chappels - and elegant flying buttresses was completed. The new apse was much longer, much wider and much higher, than the old one had been. After the crossing tower of the neighbouring cathedral had collapsed in 1573, the architects stopped the work here - and started to stabilize the structure of Saint Etienne. This was done with this massive tower end of the 16th century. So the Romanesque transept and the nave survived. During the early years of the French Revolution the church got vanadlized and then used as storage space. It got restored and was used as parish church, but got severely damaged by the German Luftwaffe in 1940. To restore that took 14 years after WWII. While the carvings of the Gothic portal got mutilated and severely damaged by the vandals of the Revolution, the Romanesque side portal, seen here, still is pretty intact. Style and iconography remind of Romanesque carvings from the Poitou-Charentes.

The church was known already in the 11th century, when it was located outside the city walls. In 1180 this church burnt down and got rebuilt in the 12th/13th century in the in a late Romanesque style. The collegiate church served the parish, while the Bishop tried to erect only about 400 metres away the huge cathedral in the "modern" Gothic style. So it was decided, to replace the Romanesque, "old fashioned" church here with a new one, as well in Gothic style. The Romanesque choir got teared down. Around 1520 the late Gothic choir with side chappels - and elegant flying buttresses was completed. The new apse was much longer, much wider and much higher, than the old one had been. After the crossing tower of the neighbouring cathedral had collapsed in 1573, the architects stopped the work here - and started to stabilize the structure of Saint Etienne. This was done with this massive tower end of the 16th century. So the Romanesque transept and the nave survived. During the early years of the French Revolution the church got vanadlized and then used as storage space. It got restored and was used as parish church, but got severely damaged by the German Luftwaffe in 1940. To restore that took 14 years after WWII. While the carvings of the Gothic portal got mutilated and severely damaged by the vandals of the Revolution, the Romanesque side portal, seen here, still is pretty intact.

The church was known already in the 11th century, when it was located outside the city walls. In 1180 this church burnt down and got rebuilt in the 12th/13th century in the in a late Romanesque style. The collegiate church served the parish, while the Bishop tried to erect only about 400 metres away the huge cathedral in the "modern" Gothic style. So it was decided, to replace the Romanesque, "old fashioned" church here with a new one, as well in Gothic style. The Romanesque choir got teared down. Around 1520 the late Gothic choir with side chappels - and elegant flying buttresses was completed. The new apse was much longer, much wider and much higher, than the old one had been. After the crossing tower of the neighbouring cathedral had collapsed in 1573, the architects stopped the work here - and started to stabilize the structure of Saint Etienne. This was done with this massive tower end of the 16th century. So the Romanesque transept and the nave survived. During the early years of the French Revolution the church got vanadlized and then used as storage space. It got restored and was used as parish church, but got severely damaged by the German Luftwaffe in 1940. To restore that took 14 years after WWII.

The church was known already in the 11th century, when it was located outside the city walls. In 1180 this church burnt down and got rebuilt in the 12th/13th century in the in a late Romanesque style. The collegiate church served the parish, while the Bishop tried to erect only about 400 metres away the huge cathedral in the "modern" Gothic style. So it was decided, to replace the Romanesque, "old fashioned" church here with a new one, as well in Gothic style. The Romanesque choir got teared down. Around 1520 the late Gothic choir with side chappels - and elegant flying buttresses (seen here) was completed. The new apse was much longer, much wider and much higher, than the old one had been. After the crossing tower of the neighbouring cathedral had collapsed in 1573, the architects stopped the work here - and started to stabilize the structure of Saint Etienne. This was done with the massive tower end of the 16th century. So the Romanesque transept and the nave survived. During the early years of the French Revolution the church got vanadlized and then used as storage space. It got restored and was used as parish church, but got severely damaged by the German Luftwaffe in 1940. To restore that took 14 years after WWII.

Romans had been here during Hadrian´s time and where they had erected a temple, a small church got built mid 10th century. This structure got rebuilt and enlarged already within the 11th/12th century. Looted and damaged a century later, it got rebuilt, altered, enlarged, extended and strongly fortified. Within the structure, some parts of the 12th century structure survived the times. Despite the many alterations undertaken, many of the Romanesque capitals can still be found in the nave and the choir. An accidental combination of bad light conditions and a personal hypoglycemia lead to blurry photos. Sorry! This capital differs clearly in style and material from the others inside the church. It may be carved by the master (or the workshop) who created the four capitals outside the choir. A flock of birds is feasting in a vinyard. The owner of the grapes is not amused and tries to chase the birds away. He does not try to kill a bird, as the arrow he uses has no arrowhead.