Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Tympanon

Louis the Pious founded the bishopric of Hildesheim in 815. The settlement developed into a town and was granted market rights by King Otto III in 983. Craftsmen and merchants were attracted and the city developed into an important community. By 1167, Hildesheim was an almost completely walled market settlement. At the beginning of the 13th century, Hildesheim had about 5,000 inhabitants, and when Hildesheim received its city charter in 1249, it was one of the largest cities in northern Germany. The clergy ruled Hildesheim for four centuries before a town hall was built and the citizens gained influence and independence. In 1367, Hildesheim became a member of the Hanseatic League. But what is now called Hildesheim was various small "suburbs". After centuries of (sometimes armed) disputes, it was not until the end of the 16th century that a union was created and subsequently at least the inner wall was taken down Old and New Town. During the Thirty Years' War, Hildesheim was besieged and occupied several times. In 1813, after the Napoleonic Wars, the town became part of the Kingdom of Hanover, which was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia as a province after the Austro-Prussian War in 1866. The air raids on Hildesheim in 1944/45 destroyed large parts of the city. Of the 1500 half-timbered houses, only 200 remained. 90 percent of the historic old town was destroyed in the firestorm. - St. Godehard, one of the most important bishops of Hildesheim from 1022 to 1038, was canonized in 1133. In the same year, construction began on a church and monastery in his honor. In 1172 the work was completed and this church got consecrated. The monastery remained untouched by the Reformation and existed until secularization in 1803. The basilica was saved from demolition and became a Catholic parish church. The basilica remained almost unchanged over the centuries and was not heavily damaged even during WWII. From 1945 to 1960, when Hildesheim Cathedral was destroyed and rebuilt, St, Godehard served as the "cathedral" of the Bishop of Hildesheim.

The small church was the chapel of the medieval castle, that today is completely lost. It was devoted to St. Laurentius over the the first centuries, but the devotion changed to St. Leonhard in the early 16th century. Since then it has served the hamlet as a parish church. A chain spans all around the nave. The chain is a symbol of St. Leonhard. As he is not only the patron saint for prisoners, but as well for horses, it may well be that the first chain was made from horseshoes, votive offerings left here after the horses were given a special St.Leonhard-blessing. The church was consecrated in 1190 by the Bishop of Regensburg, representing his collegue from Eichstaett, who was not available, being on the cruisade at that time. A frieze of 13 heads runs around the apse, a very elaborate work for a small, rural church. The peasants around wondered about these carvings over the centuries and a legend was told, that a giant had built this church. The tympanum of St. Leonhard. A blessing Jesus flanked by two men. As Jesus and both men hold books, the two may stand for two evangelists. The carving style is kind of "soft" and elegant for 1150/1170. In the archivolt above the tympanum are heads - and lions.

The small church was the chapel of the medieval castle, that today is completely lost. It was devoted to St. Laurentius over the the first centuries, but the devotion changed to St. Leonhard in the early 16th century. Since then it has served the hamlet as a parish church. A chain spans all around the nave. The chain is a symbol of St. Leonhard. As he is not only the patron saint for prisoners, but as well for horses, it may well be that the first chain was made from horseshoes, votive offerings left here after the horses were given a special St.Leonhard-blessing. The church was consecrated in 1190 by the Bishop of Regensburg, representing his collegue from Eichstaett, who was not available, being on the cruisade at that time. A frieze of 13 heads runs around the apse, a very elaborate work for a small, rural church. The peasants around wondered about these carvings over the centuries and a legend was told, that a giant had built this church. The portal of St. Leonhard. In the tympanum a blessing Jesus flanked by two men. As Jesus and both men hold books, the two may stand for two evangelists. The carving style is kind of "soft" and elegant for 1150/1170. In the archivolt above the tympanum are heads - and lions. The church is padlocked - and, as you can see from the blue/white symbol, under the "Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict" from 1956.

The central tympanum over the entrance of the Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine leading from the narthex to the nave has three archivolts. The middle archivolt is composed out of 29 round medailons. Here is one of these medailons, depicting a very strange chimare out of a cow or bull - and a fishtail. I have seen mermaids and mermen so far - but this is the first mercow.

The central tympanum over the entrance of the Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine leading from the narthex to the nave has three archivolts. The middle archivolt is composed out of 29 round medailons. Here is one of these medailons, depincting a mermaid with very long hair.