Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Cross of St. Peter

On the ruins of a older basilica begann, just next to the Baptistère Saint-Jean the construction of large Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in 1162. The building, the new the seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers, was greatly funded by Henry II of England (aka "Henri II Plantagenêt") and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The construction started as usual in the east and was completed with the western facade end of the 13th century. The cathedral is best known for the wonderful stained glass windows. The three windows around the choir date back to the 12th century and may be the oldest in France. The central window (previous uploads) is very large (8,35ms x 3,10ms). A crucifixion scene is in the center of this window, the Ascension is seen above the crucifixion. Here is, what is seen below. The top tier has the empty tomb (with two sleeping soldiers), the angel waiting to the left and the three "Myrrhbearers" approaching from the the right. Matthew 28:1 "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb." The center tier has (left) "NERO IMPERAT(OR)" with a blue devil on his shoulder. He just sentences to death: "STS PETRUS" gets crucified upside down and (right) blindfolded "STS PAULUS" gets decapitated. Under the head of Saint Peter the sponsors of this church "Henry II of England" and "Eleanor of Aquitaine" watch the scenes. I cannot read all the words there, but the the restaurators from 188x left their "signature".

"Saint-Pierre d'Aulnay" is a church outside of Aulnay, in the center of an old graveyard. The setting has not changed for centuries. For the pilgrims of the 12th century this church was a major halt - and it still is for all the tourists... A predecessing church „Saint-Pierre-de-la-Tour“ had been here, that, when the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella got more and more popular, was obviously to small, as Aulnay was conveniently situated between Poitiers and Saintes on the Via Turonensis. A new, larger church was needed, so the place was handed over to the chapter of the cathedral in Poitiers. The canons then probably planned this church, that was erected from about 1130/1140 on. "Saint-Pierre d'Aulnay" is a gem of the "style saintongeais". For Peter Strafford ("Romanesque Churches Of France") this is "one of the best examples of late Romanesque architecture in what used to be Aquitaine". A close up of the left blind arch (pointed!). See the previous upload for a total. In the center the "Cross of St. Peter", an icon, known since early times. Origen of Alexandria wrote, that St. Peter asked to be crucified upside down, as he felt he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner that Jesus died. The archivolts around have kind of "abstract" plant-like decorations, just symbols of plants and foliage.

"Saint-Pierre d'Aulnay" is a church outside of Aulnay, in the center of an old graveyard. The setting has not changed for centuries. For the pilgrims of the 12th century this church was a major halt - and it still is for all the tourists... A predecessing church „Saint-Pierre-de-la-Tour“ had been here, that, when the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella got more and more popular, was obviously to small, as Aulnay was conveniently situated between Poitiers and Saintes on the Via Turonensis. A new, larger church was needed, so the place was handed over to the chapter of the cathedral in Poitiers. The canons then probably planned this church, that was erected from about 1130/1140 on. "Saint-Pierre d'Aulnay" is a gem of the "style saintongeais". For Peter Strafford ("Romanesque Churches Of France") this is "one of the best examples of late Romanesque architecture in what used to be Aquitaine". Most damage to the facade was done by the repairs during the 15th century, when the buttresses were built. Here is the left blind arch (pointed!). In the center the "Cross of St. Peter", an icon, known since early times. Origen of Alexandria wrote, that St. Peter asked to be crucified upside down, as he felt he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner that Jesus died. The archivolts around have plant-like decorations - and the capitals have scary creatures,