Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: chrismon

The Basilica of San Prudencio is located in Armentia on the southwestern outskirts of Vitoria-Gasteiz. According to legend, Saint Prudentius was born here in the 6th century. In the 9th century, Armentia was a bishopric until it was transferred to Calahorra in 1087. The Basilica of San Prudencio then became the collegiate church of a canon's monastery, which existed until 1498. It was then that the canons gave up San Prudencio to settle in Vitoria. The current church of San Prudencio was built towards the end of the 12th century. Between 1773 and 1776 the church underwent major changes. The south facade was demolished and the porch was built. Parts of the church's original sculptural decoration were embedded in the walls of this south porch. The "Tympanum of the Lamb" following the inscriptions, John and Isaiah flank the Lamb. Below angels hold the Chrismon.

Saint-Seurin was originally built outside the city walls close to an ancient necropolis. The Abbey of St. Seurin bears the name of the venerated fourth bishop of Bordeaux. A first building, confirmed towards mid 5th century, got destroyed by the Normans in the 8th century. It was reconstructed above the crypt of St. Seurin from the 11th to 13th centuries. Bordeaux was one of the major halts on the Via Turonensis. The grave of Saint-Seurin was an important place for the many pilgrims. Another precious relic, shown here, was the ivory horn of Roland, who died at Roncevaux and whose (legendary) burial place most pilgrims will have seen in Blaye. Tradition claims that the horn "olifant", still reported in the 17th century and lost before the French Revolution, had been left by the Charlemagne on the altar of St. Seurin. The crypt below the church, that underwent many modifications, is part of a paleochristian necropolis. It may (in parts) date back to the 4th century. There are some nice sarcophagi, carved from pyreneen marble and dated into the 6th century. This one has a chrismon with Alpha and Omega and on the sides birds in a vinyard, pecking grapes.

The Monasterio de San Pedro el Viejo ("Saint Peter the Old") is a former Benedictine monastery built within the 12th century. A church had existed here (built on the place of a Roman temple) since Visigothic times and even, when the Moors hold Huesca, this church was in use. Christian troops conquered Huesca in 1096 and from 1117 on Benedictines with obvious ties to Cluny reconstructed the church and erected a monasterio here. A closer look on the tympanum already seen on the previous upload. A large chrismon (chi rho) held by two angels in very luxurous clothes (note the embroidered cuffs). Above the chrismon is a small figure and a kind of graffito, that seem older than the chrismon. The inscription reads "S(an)C(tu)S VINVCENTIUS". So this refers to Saint Vincent (aka"Vincent of Saragossa", "Vincent of Valencia"). the second patron saint of Huesca. Just like Saint Lawrence, Saint Vincent, who was martyred (304) in Valencia, was born in Huesca.

The Monasterio de San Pedro el Viejo ("Saint Peter the Old") is a former Benedictine monastery built within the 12th century. A church had existed here (built on the place of a Roman temple) since Visigothic times and even, when the Moors hold Huesca, this church was in use. Christian troops conquered Huesca in 1096 and from 1117 on Benedictines with obvious ties to Cluny reconstructed the church and erected a monasterio here. The portal of the church is not really spectacular, in medieval times this was the portal to the cementary. On the tympanum is a large chrismon (chi rho) held by two angels. Note the a small figure just above the chrismon.

The Jaca Cathedral is one of the oldest of the Iberian peninsula, dating back to the 1070s. The building, that was altered many times later, was commissioned by King Sancho Ramírez, who established an episcopal seat in Jaca, then the capital of the Kingdom of Aragon. The western portal of the cathedral has some extraordenary works of medieval art. The carvings are delicate, smooth and detailled. The very experienced artist is unknown, but art-historians gave him the name "Master of Jaca". Seen here is the tympanum. A very specific chrismon, flanked by two lions. Under the lions are a human and a snake (left) and quadruped (bear?dog?wolf?) and a basilisk. There are many inscriptions, that I could not read, but - I finally found this (spanish/english) website with very knowledgable information: www.romanicoaragones.com/0-Jacetania/06-Catedral-ing-04a.htm

Saint-Seurin was originally built outside the city walls close to an ancient necropolis. The Abbey of St. Seurin bears the name of the venerated fourth bishop of Bordeaux. A first building, confirmed towards mid 5th century, got destroyed during the 8th century Norman invasions. It was reconstructed above the crypt of St. Seurin from the 11th to 13th centuries. The crypt was part of a paleochristian necropolis and so parts if it may date back to the 4th century. Tradition tells, hat the necropolis had been consecrated by Christ and seven bishop saints. As the horn olifant was shown here, it is no surprise, that some of the brave soldiers who died with Roland at Roncevaux had been buried there. Down here are some very elaborated sarcophagi from the 6th and 7th century, that obviously survived the Norman raids. This one has a chrismon (CHi Rho) in the center. Unfortunately I was late and the guard only gave me 5 minutes time down in the crypt, before he locked the gates.