Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: pillar

Ohrid became a "polis" under the name Lychnidos after Alexander the Great conquered the area around 335 BC. Around 148 BC, Lychnidos became part of the Roman Republic and thus a "colonia". When the empire was divided in 395, Lychnidos was awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. Lychnidos became a bishopric under the Byzantines in late antiquity. Lychnidos was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and it is unclear whether the city continued to exist or was re-founded by Slavs. The place was first mentioned under the name Ohrid around 880. Ohrid was developed into a cultural and religious center of the Bulgarian Empire. Today, a citadel, built on the walls of an ancient fortress, towers over the city. When Emperor Basil II incorporated Ohrid into his empire in 1018, he had the fortress demolished. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians regained their independence and reconquered Ohrid in 1198. The Ottomans took possession of Ohrid in the years around 1400. In the following centuries, the city became a supra-regional center of Islam, where mosques and places of the dervish cult were built. The city also remained a center of Christian art until the middle of the 15th century. The conversion of St. Sophia's Church into a mosque took place during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1413–1421). In 1462, the Albanian resistance fighter Skanderbeg conquered the city. But it was recaptured in 1466. Around 1568, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The present St. Sophia Church was built on the foundations of a cathedral destroyed in the first decade of the 6th century by the invasions of the early Slavs. The next church was built during the First Bulgarian Empire after the official conversion to Christianity. Some date the construction of the church to the reign of Knyaz Boris I (852 – 889). It was essentially rebuilt as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a domed basilica in the last decade of the 10th century. It was then, under the rule of Tsar Samuil (958–1014), that Ohrid became the Bulgarian capital. It was the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. Inside the church, frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries have been preserved, representing some of the most significant achievements of Byzantine painting of that period. The main part of the church was built in the 11th century. It looks as if a lot of previously used Roman material was used for the construction of the walls.

A hermitage was founded here by Géraud de Salles, a friend of Robert de Arbrissel, the of the Cistercian abbey of Fontevrault. In 1119 the hermitage was made an abbey, connected to the Abbaye de Pontigny. The Abbaye de Cîteaux ceded twelve monks to Cadouin for the first settlement of the monastery. Around 1200 the monastery came into possession of the "Saint-Suaire de Cadouin". This was believed to be the facecloth from the tomb of Christ, said to have been brought from Antioch by a priest after the first crusade. This relic made the abbey an important place of pilgrimage on the way to Santiago and brought it great prestige and wealth. Even Louis IX of France ("St. Louis"), Richard I of England ("Richard the Lionheart") and Emperor Charles V ("Charles Quint") visited Cadouin to see the relic. The war of the 14th century let the pilgrimage come to an end and let the abbey decline. In 1357 the abbey was ruined and only two monks stayed to guard the shroud, that was transferred to Toulouse in 1392. This transport of shroud to Toulouse deprived the abbey of donations. The shroud returned and with the strong support of the French Kings, the abbey recovered after 1455. Thanks to royal protection, the cloister was rebuilt in an extravagant way. The abbey was affiliated to the Cistercian order, but not founded by it. This is one reason, that may explain the enormous creativity here, as "normally" the Cistercian art is very sober. Though the authenticity of the shroud was attested in 1644, the abbey did never fully recover after the Wars of Religions. During the French Revolution, the abbey was dissolved and got looted. In 1793 the abbey, apart from the church, was sold as a national property. The mayor of Cadouin hid the shroud during the Revolution until it was returned to worship in 1797. It was the Bishop of Perigueux in the mid 19th century, who "relaunched" the pilgrimage, that prospered again up to 1934. That year, a historian dated the shroud thanks to the presence of decorative bands decorated with a text. An inscription was found in Kufic style, opened by the "fatiha", the Islamic profession of faith, the text then indicates that the veil was woven at the time of Al-Musta'li, the caliph of Fatimid Egypt, at the end of the 11th century. The extravagant cloister has many very interesting carvings. This imaginative work reminded me of Arthur Miller´s "Death of a Salesman", but here the story is a little different - and much older! The salesman has already died. He was still able to place is merchandise below him, his bag hanging from the tree. His soul has left the body and was carried up to heaven by two angels, where it can now be seen, sitting in Abraham´s bosom. Two angels are placed next to Abraham´s head, to back the transfer with music.

Richardis, wife of Charles III (aka "Charles the Fat") and so "Holy Roman Empress", founded the abbey in Andlau ca 880. Later she lived here (as the abbess). She was known for her piety and so she was canonised, when Pope Leo IX paid a visit to the abbey in 1049. The crypt of "Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" is the oldest part of the whole structure. The eastern part of the crypt dates back to 1080/1100, the western, where this pillar and the vaults are to be seen, was constructed around 1160.

Mont Sainte-Odile Abbey (aka "Hohenburg Abbey") was founded by Adalrich, Duke of Alsace, around 690. First abbess of the nunnery was his daughter Sainte Odile (aka "Odile of Alsace"), who by now is the patron saint of the Alsace, making the abbey today to a place of pilgrimage in the area. Second abbess of the monastery btw was Adalrich´s grand daughter Eugenia. Early nunneries often are family affairs e.g. Freckenhorst, Gandersheim.. The monastery got damaged, destroyed and looted a couple of times. After the French Revolution it got sold - and finally in 1853 the catholics of the Alsace had collected enough money, to buy it back - and present the buildings to the Bishop of Strassburg. Only a few structures of the monastery, constructed within the 12th century after the older buildings burnt down, have survived the times. One that still exists after more than 800 years is the baptistry (aka "Holy Cross Chapel"). This room is dominated by this massive central pillar. This is the capital of this central pillar. The very geometric floral decorations and vines remind a bit on the tympanon in Murbach (60kms south), but the four heads on the corners seem kind of "rough". Left in a niche (barely to be seen on the photo) is the sarcophag of Adalrich and his wife Bereswinde.

Mont Sainte-Odile Abbey (aka "Hohenburg Abbey") was founded by Adalrich, Duke of Alsace, around 690. First abbess of the nunnery was his daughter Sainte Odile (aka "Odile of Alsace"), who by now is the patron saint of the Alsace, making the abbey today to a place of pilgrimage in the area. The monastery got damaged, destroyed and looted a couple of times. After the French Revolution it got sold - and finally in 1853 the catholics of the Alsace had collected enough money, to buy it back - and present the buildings to the Bishop of Strassburg. Only a few structures of the monastery, constructed within the 12th century after the older buildings burnt down, have survived the times. One that still exists after more than 800 years is the baptistry (aka "Holy Cross Chapel"). This room is dominated by this massive central pillar. Eight hands are necessary at the base to keep the pillar in a stable, upright positition.

Mont Sainte-Odile Abbey (aka "Hohenburg Abbey") was founded by Adalrich, Duke of Alsace, around 690. First abbess of the nunnery was his daughter Sainte Odile (aka "Odile of Alsace"), who by now is the patron saint of the Alsace, making the abbey today to a place of pilgrimage in the area. Second abbess of the monastery btw was Adalrich´s grand daughter Eugenia. Early nunneries often are family affairs e.g. Freckenhorst, Gandersheim.. The monastery got damaged, destroyed and looted a couple of times. After the French Revolution it got sold - and finally in 1853 the catholics of the Alsace had collected enough money, to buy it back - and present the buildings to the Bishop of Strassburg. Placed within the cloister (next to the entrance to the restaurant) is a part of a pillar, delicately carved on three sides. During a post-revolutionary raid it got vandalized in 1793, so all faces are missing. A romanesque madonna holding the child. Mother and child are well dressed. Mary is wearing her hair in long, delicate braids. While the Jesus´ right hand is blessing, his left hand holds a round object. If this object is a globus cruciger or part of a sceptre, then the missing part above his had could only have been a crown. Down below are two nuns, holding mother and child. Over the heads are their names: abbess Relindis (left) and abbess Herrad (right). Relindis (of Bergen) restored discipline here after a temporary decline around 1140. Her direct successor Herrad (of Landsberg) is the author if the illuminated "Hortus Deliciarum", the first known encyclopedia compiled by a woman (~1180). Sorry for the bad quality of the photo.

Mont Sainte-Odile Abbey (aka "Hohenburg Abbey") was founded by Adalrich, Duke of Alsace, around 690. First abbess of the nunnery was his daughter Sainte Odile (aka "Odile of Alsace"), who by now is the patron saint of the Alsace, making the abbey today to a place of pilgrimage in the area. Second abbess of the monastery btw was Adalrich´s grand daughter Eugenia. Early nunneries often are family affairs e.g. Freckenhorst, Gandersheim.. The monastery got damaged, destroyed and looted a couple of times. After the French Revolution it got sold - and finally in 1853 the catholics of the Alsace had collected enough money, to buy it back - and present the buildings to the Bishop of Strassburg. Placed within the cloister (next to the entrance to the restaurant) is a remaining part of a pillar, delicately carved on three sides. During a post-revolutionary raid it got vandalized in 1793, so all faces are missing. Adalrich, Duke of Alsace, sitting on a throne, transfers the monastery / place of the monastery (symbolized by a book) to his daughter Odilie, the first abbess. So this is the visualisation of the founding myth. I could not make out, whether the hand to the left, belongs to father or daughter. One of them must have had a pretty long arm.

Mont Sainte-Odile Abbey (aka "Hohenburg Abbey") was founded by Adalrich, Duke of Alsace, around 690. First abbess of the nunnery was his daughter Sainte Odile (aka "Odile of Alsace"), who by now is the patron saint of the Alsace, making the abbey today to a place of pilgrimage in the area. Second abbess of the monastery btw was Adalrich´s grand daughter Eugenia. Early nunneries often are family affairs e.g. Freckenhorst, Gandersheim.. The monastery got damaged, destroyed and looted a couple of times. After the French Revolution it got sold - and finally in 1853 the catholics of the Alsace had collected enough money, to buy it back - and present the buildings to the Bishop of Strassburg. Placed within the cloister (next to the entrance to the restaurant) is a remaining part of a pillar, delicately carved on three sides. During a post-revolutionary raid it got vandalized in 1793, so all faces are missing. Saint Leodegar (see the inscription on top of the relief) is a very popular person (Guebwiller, Murbach) in the area. Legend tells, that Saint Leodegar, bishop of Autun, was the brother of Adalrich´s wife Bereswinde, Oldile´s mother. So this is Odile´s uncle. Odile was born blind (until she got baptised at the age of 12), Saint Leodegar´s eyes were gouged out by torture. So uncle and niece now are patron saints for any kind of eye problems.

A Roman settlement, named "Aeminium" existed here. When the neighbouring town "Conimbriga" got conquered and destroyed by the Suebes in 468, the survivors moved to "Aeminium" - and renamed it. The Visigoths under King Wittiza named the town "Eminio" later. In 714 the town was conquered by Muslim troops, who changed the name again. Coimbra was finally recaptured in 1064 by King Fernando de Castilla y León. Coimbra became the second capital of the Kingdom of Portugal (after Guimarãesin) 1139, a status that moved to Lisbon in 1256. The University of Coimbra, founded by Denis of Portugal (aka "Dom Dinis") in 1290, is one of the oldest in Europe. The small Romanesque church, dedicated to Saint James ("São Tiago") was consecrated in 1206, but it may be that this was already the second church here. Local, oral history tells, that Fernando I on recapturing Coimbra from the Moors in 1064, founded a church dedicated to St. James this very site. Today the church faces to the "Praça do Comércio". Here is the western portal of the church. The design of the eight pillars is very interesting.

A Benedictine convent existed here since ~ 1080. End of the 12th century the monastery got imncorporated into a commandry of the Knights Templar, whom the monks had to pay for protection. Later Augustin Canons lived here until the convent got dissolved and the church converted into a parish church in 1434. The "Igreja de São Salvador", erected within the 12th century, is small, but has wonderful and very unique carvings. Here are three pillars of the right (more weathered) side of the portal. Following Manuel L. Real ("Portugal Roman", Edition Zodiaque), the person in the center is a monk. He stands opposite the nun (prev. upload). Again here the sculpture has these "lenghty" proportions. To the right are the monkeys again - they actually run around the archivolt.

A Benedictine convent existed here since ~ 1080. End of the 12th century the monastery got imncorporated into a commandry of the Knights Templar, whom the monks had to pay for protection. Later Augustin Canons lived here until the convent got dissolved and the church converted into a parish church in 1434. The "Igreja de São Salvador", erected within the 12th century, is small, but has wonderful and very unique carvings. Here are three pillars of the left side of the portal. Following Manuel L. Real ("Portugal Roman", Edition Zodiaque), who claims, that Igreja de São Salvador is one of the most beautiful Romanesque "village churches", in Portugal, the left pillar depicts Barbary macaques, the center depcts a nun (veil) - and to the right a braiding of snakes ending in three heads.

Stift Millstatt ("Millstatt Abbey") was founded by the Aribo II and Boto, members of Aribonids, a noble, Bavarian family, around 1070. Run by Benedictine monks and protected by Papal deeds Stift Millstatt prospered in the early years and a nunnery was added. Within the 13th century, the decay began. As the abbey had secular Church Vogts, it suffered strongly under the political powergames of that timne and finaly ended 1456 under the House of Habsburg. At that time only 10 monks still lived here. Emperor Frederick III reached a papal bull in 1469, so that the military order of the Knights of Saint George took over Stift Millstatt in order to fight the invading troops of the Ottoman Empire. The order now had to cope with the debts left by the Benedictines and the redevelopment of the neglected premises. While the knights were engaged with the fortification of the monastery, they failed to protect the region. Millstatt was heavily devastated by the Turks in 1478, followed by Hungarian troops in 1487. As the power of the knightly order declined, unrests and revolts arose among the surrounding peasants. As the new Protestant belief spread in the area the monastery vested the Society of Jesus ("Jesuits") in 1598 to support the Counter-Reformation. The monks were disliked by the population for their stern measures. In 1737 the displeasure culminated in open revolt, when peasants ganged up and stormed the monastery. The rule of the Jesuits ended, when the order was suppressed by Pope Clement XIV in 1773. The monks had to leave Millstatt. Today the former abbey-church serves the parish, while the other buildings belong to the Austrian state and host the "Österreichische Bundesforste" (Austrian State Forestry Commission). The western side, the towers and the magnificent Romanesque funnel portal were created under abbot Heinrich I (1166 - 1177). The church underwent numerous alterations over the centuries. It did not only suffer from fires, but as well from earthquakes. A strong quake in 1690 heavily damaged the western facade. The repair took more than four years. The lintel under the tympanum at that time broke in four pieces (note the iron clamps). The Jesuits then covered the tympanum with plaster - and it stayed hidden until 1878. The masters working on the facade had some very strange ideas. I have seen many pillar-eaters. Here is somebody who is locked inside a pillar. Come in - and look out!

Stift Millstatt ("Millstatt Abbey") was founded by the Aribo II and Boto, members of Aribonids, a noble, Bavarian family, around 1070. Run by Benedictine monks and protected by Papal deeds Stift Millstatt prospered in the early years and a nunnery was added. Within the 13th century, the decay began. As the abbey had secular Church Vogts, it suffered strongly under the political powergames of that timne and finaly ended 1456 under the House of Habsburg. At that time only 10 monks still lived here. Emperor Frederick III reached a papal bull in 1469, so that the military order of the Knights of Saint George took over Stift Millstatt in order to fight the invading troops of the Ottoman Empire. The order now had to cope with the debts left by the Benedictines and the redevelopment of the neglected premises. While the knights were engaged with the fortification of the monastery, they failed to protect the region. Millstatt was heavily devastated by the Turks in 1478, followed by Hungarian troops in 1487. As the power of the knightly order declined, unrests and revolts arose among the surrounding peasants. As the new Protestant belief spread in the area the monastery vested the Society of Jesus ("Jesuits") in 1598 to support the Counter-Reformation. The monks were disliked by the population for their stern measures. In 1737 the displeasure culminated in open revolt, when peasants ganged up and stormed the monastery. The rule of the Jesuits ended, when the order was suppressed by Pope Clement XIV in 1773. The monks had to leave Millstatt. Today the former abbey-church serves the parish, while the other buildings belong to the Austrian state and host the "Österreichische Bundesforste" (Austrian State Forestry Commission). The western side, the towers and the magnificent Romanesque funnel portal were created under abbot Heinrich I (1166 - 1177). The church underwent numerous alterations over the centuries. It did not only suffer from fires, but as well from earthquakes. A strong quake in 1690 heavily damaged the western facade. The repair took more than four years. The lintel under the tympanum at that time broke in four pieces (note the iron clamps). The Jesuits then covered the tympanum with plaster - and it stayed hidden until 1878. The masters working on the facade had some very strange ideas. I have seen many pillar-eaters. Here is somebody who looks out of a pillar. Come in - and look out!

Nonantola Abbey was founded in 752 by Saint Anselm, brother-in-law of the Lombard king Aistulf. Pope Stephen II presented relics of Saint Sylvester to the abbey, so it was named Saint Silvestro de Nonantula. The abbey was already wealthy from the very beginning, in 780 Charlemagne endowed the abbey with many estates in Tuscany, where monks settled in Groppina (see "Pieve di San Pietro a Gropina"). In 883 the abbey was the place of a conference between Charlemagne´s great-grandson Charles III (aka "Charles the Fat") and Pope Marinus I. The prosperious life ended, when in 900 Hungarian troops looted and completely destroyed the abbey. Reconstruction began soon after and about a century later the "imperial monastery" was one of the most powerful abbey in Europe. Abbot Godeschalc had a new basilica built in 1058. At the beginning of the Investiture Conflict it sided with the emperor, but Matilda of Tuscany stepped in and forced the abbey to change sides. It declared itself openly for the papal party in 1111. The earthquake in 1117 damaged the abbey severely. The reconstruction started in 1121, so most of what is seen today is from the 12h century. Great efforts had been undertaken, to restore the basilica in the early 20th century. A crypt existed here already in the 8th century. This crypt dates back to the pre-existing church. It has 64 pillars.

Nonantola Abbey was founded in 752 by Saint Anselm, brother-in-law of the Lombard king Aistulf. Pope Stephen II presented relics of Saint Sylvester to the abbey, so it was named Saint Silvestro de Nonantula. The abbey was already wealthy from the very beginning, in 780 Charlemagne endowed the abbey with many estates in Tuscany, where monks settled in Groppina (see "Pieve di San Pietro a Gropina"). In 883 the abbey was the place of a conference between Charlemagne´s great-grandson Charles III (aka "Charles the Fat") and Pope Marinus I. The prosperious life ended, when in 900 Hungarian troops looted and completely destroyed the abbey. Reconstruction began soon after and about a century later the "imperial monastery" was one of the most powerful abbey in Europe. Abbot Godeschalc had a new basilica built in 1058. At the beginning of the Investiture Conflict it sided with the emperor, but Matilda of Tuscany stepped in and forced the abbey to change sides. It declared itself openly for the papal party in 1111. The earthquake in 1117 damaged the abbey severely. The reconstruction started in 1121, so most of what is seen today is from the 12h century. Great efforts had been undertaken, to restore the basilica in the early 20th century. A crypt existed here already in the 8th century. This crypt dates back to the pre-existing church. It has 64 pillars. Here are not only the relics of of Saint Sylvester, as the collection of holy relics grew over the time. Ny now here are as well relcis of Saint Fusca, Saint Anseris, Saints Theopontus, Saint Senesius and Saint Adrian.

Nonantola Abbey was founded in 752 by Saint Anselm, brother-in-law of the Lombard king Aistulf. Pope Stephen II presented relics of Saint Sylvester to the abbey, so it was named Saint Silvestro de Nonantula. The abbey was already wealthy from the very beginning, in 780 Charlemagne endowed the abbey with many estates in Tuscany, where monks settled in Groppina (see "Pieve di San Pietro a Gropina"). In 883 the abbey was the place of a conference between Charlemagne´s great-grandson Charles III (aka "Charles the Fat") and Pope Marinus I. The prosperious life ended, when in 900 Hungarian troops looted and completely destroyed the abbey. Reconstruction began soon after and about a century later the "imperial monastery" was one of the most powerful abbey in Europe. Abbot Godeschalc had a new basilica built in 1058. At the beginning of the Investiture Conflict it sided with the emperor, but Matilda of Tuscany stepped in and forced the abbey to change sides. It declared itself openly for the papal party in 1111. The earthquake in 1117 damaged the abbey severely. The reconstruction started in 1121, so most of what is seen today is from the 12h century. Great efforts had been undertaken, to restore the basilica in the early 20th century. A crypt existed here already in the 8th century. This crypt dates back to the pre-existing church. It has 64 pillars, some of the capitals here came from other places and are here since the restoration.

The construction of the Cattedrale di San Giorgio began in the early 12th century, when the city was taken by Matilda of Tuscany (aka "Matilde di Canossa"). When the new cathedral was consecrated in 1135 it was not completed at all. It was - and still is - located in the center of the city. The lower part of the facade is Romanesque was probably built in the first half of the 11th century. The building process was continued a century later in Gothic style. A "renovation" of the Ferrara Cathedral done in the early 18th century resulted in a demolition. Only the facade and the outer walls survived. The the medieval interior and the apses, that once existed are lost. A detail of the medieval wall, that survived the demolition. Her is a vast collection of different, elaborate pillars. The side looks a bit like a great a sales exhibition of the stone masons. See, what we are able to create...

Santa Maria della Pieve was erected over the remains of an earlier church from the early 12th century on. It was was the stronghold of the city's struggle against its feudal bishops, who were building the nearby Cathedral and a palace, that was rather a castle just outside the city walls. It took about two centuries to complete Santa Maria della Pieve, and so there is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Most unusual is the the facade faces this small street (today "Corso Italia"), while the apse borders to the Piazza Grande. Originally the rectangular facade had no special features, but already end of the 12th century it got changed (probably to impress the feudal bishop). There is a five-arch lower floor surmounted by three loggias, with the number of columns increasing with the elevation. Columns and capitals are each different from the other. Here is a detail. As the "Corso Italia" is so narrow, it is difficult to take a proper photo of the elaborate facade.