Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Majestas Domini

Salamanca is a "real city" with a population of more than 140.000 inhabitants. Under Roman and Visigothic rule called “Helmantica,” the city developed into an important trading center. In the 8th century, Salamanca was taken by the Moors, but in 939 it became Christian again as a result of the Battle of Simancas. Salamanca became a border town to the Islamic south of the Iberian Peninsula and was subsequently exposed to constant attacks, which resulted in depopulation and only after the conquest of Toledo by Alfonso VI. León's rule ended in 1085. In 1102 the period of repopulation began. The Christian new settlers rose against Castile-León in 1162 and called on Portugal for help in 1163, which occupied Salamanca for two years. Salamanca experienced its heyday in the 16th century. In 1524, the construction of the church and monastery of San Esteban began and at the same time, the new cathedral was built. The old cathedral, together with the adjacent larger new cathedral, is the episcopal church. The construction of the Romanesque-early Gothic basilica began around 1150. The work continued well into the 13th century. The cathedral school was founded in 1174, from which the University of Salamanca emerged in 1218. The church is a cruciform basilica. The nave is 52 m long and 16.70 m high. All three naves close with semicircular apses. The left transept arm was cut off during the construction of the new cathedral. A "Majestas Domini" in the large rectangular mural, and in the niche below, over the tomb, hide the Magi

The church was built in the mid-12th century. The three naves, that it originally had collapsed in the 15th century. at the beginning of the 19th century, it was ravaged by flames during the Spanish War of Independence. It was rebuilt in 1849. The highlight is the west facade, dating from around 1160. Craftsmen.

The church was built in the mid-12th century. The three naves, that it originally had collapsed in the 15th century. at the beginning of the 19th century, it was ravaged by flames during the Spanish War of Independence. It was rebuilt in 1849. The highlight is the west facade, dating from around 1160. A "Majestas Domini" flanked by the apostles. Below is a group of craftsmen. These are not the Elders of the Apocalypse

The Romanesque chapel from the 12th century was built on the edge of a basalt spur overlooking the Alagnon valley and the town of Massiac. It got the "Chalet" in its name from a nearby village. The Lords of Mercœur had a feudal castle on this strategic position and the chapel was once part of that complex. It actually opened to the courtyard of the castle. The very most of the large medieval ceiling fresco is lost, but "Christ in Majesty" (Majestas Domini) is still recognizable in the mandorla.

The romanesque church "St. Maria und Clemens" in Schwarzrheindorf, now part of Bonn, is a "Doppelkirche". The "double church" has an upper church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and a lower church dedicated to Pope Clement I. The church was built mid 12th century as a private chapel for Arnold of Wied, since 1151 Archbishop and Elector of Cologne. Adjacent to the church was once part of a castle belonging to the Wied family. In 1151 the church was dedicated in the presence of King Conrad III of Germany. After Arnold´s death his sister Hadwig founded a convent of Benedictine nuns here. Later, the monastery became a "stift", a collegial body for female canons of noble origin. The upper gallery of the church was accessible only to the noble members of the community. In 1803 the stift was dissolved and the church was used for secular purposes until in 1868 it became a parish church. The church is known for the medieval frescoes, which were covered by plaster for centuries, before they were discovered and restaurated in the mid 19th century. Looking up to the "high church", where the tourist can see a large "Majestas Domini".

Kottingwörth developed from a settlement on an island ("Werder") in the Altmühl river. The first wooden church may date back to the time of Christianisation. The first stone church was built in the 12th century. It got consecrated between 1183 and 1195. The towers were built between 1250 and 1310. In the first half of the 16th century, the towers were raised. In the years 1760/61, the medieval church building was replaced by a baroque new building. The oldest part of the church is the basement of the west tower, dated to the 13th century. Around 1310 the choir of the church (now the Vitus chapel) was adorned with frescoes. During the renovation work in the chapel in 1891 these murals were rediscovered under a coat of paint. The paintings are still well preserved. Under the dome are a "Majestas Domini" (Christ in Majesty), the four evangelists (two by two) and two saints.

Saint-Ulrich was built as a baptisterium end of the 10th century, during ottonian times. During restauration works in 1967 the white coat of paint under the ceiling got removed - and these frescoes from the 12th century were discovered. The frescoes probably got painted over, when after the reformation a very "sober" style came in fashion. Colours would have just distract the pious villagers from their prayers. Though restaured meanwhile the frescoes suffer from the dampness. In the center is a "Majestas Domini" in a blessing gesture. The medaillons around depict the four evangelists.

"Sainte-Marie-Madeleine" in Le Villars is the last remaining structure of a priory that was erected here in the 11th and 12th century. The church actually has two separated naves under one roof. One was and still is used by the parish, the second one by the nuns. Behind the altar in the back pf the parish-nave is the choir, where this Romanesque "Majestas Domini" was found under plaster during restoration works.

Assisi is located on a steep slope (accessible via escalators) and a site of many a pilgrimage. Even in winter it can be very crowded - and a day before, we had to turn back, as all parking lots in the valley below were full. A day later, in heavy rain, we tried it again - and were in luck. This "Cattedrale di San Rufino" of today is the third church on this spot. They had been built over the tomb of Saint Rufinus, Bishop of Assisi, martyred in the 3rd century. The construction of the cathedral was started in 1134. When in 1228 Pope Gregory IX was in Assisi for the canonization of Saint Francis, he consecrated the high altar of the cathedral, that was finally completed in 1253. Of course during the long time of construction, the church was in use already. Saint Francis was baptized here in 1182, Saint Clare in 1193. The Romanesque façade of the Assisi-Cathedral is one of the richest in Umbria. A more detailed view on to the tympanum´s center. A "Majestas Domini". The "Pantokrator" is crowned and flanked by sun and moon. I do not know, who is the person to the right (Joseph?). To the left is a crowned (!) Virgin - "lactans". I cannot remember having ever seen a "Nursing Madonna" (aka "Madonna Lactans", "Maria lactans") on a tympanum before. These icons were popular from the 14th century on. I do not know, why the icon is tilt. The inner archivolt has some nice "real life" scenes.

There may have been a settlement already in the 9th century on the banks of the river Viaur, a church was obviously erected within the 12th century. According to a legend St. Georges´ horse jumping over the river Viaur left a mark of the hooves on a rock - inside the church. As the church was locked - I could not see the rock. This incomplete "Majestas Domini" is over the (locked) portal. I learned from the information given here, the carving was brought to Saint-Georges to save it from destruction, when iconoclasts raided churches in Rodez. I do not know, where it really came from, but it must have been the center of a very large tympanum. It actually looks like a twin of the "Majestas Domini" in Conques (40kms north of Rodez). It is a little rougher than the carving in Conques, but even details are the same.

The first church ever built here, was near the sea, where Saint Guirec, a missionary from Wales, went ashore in the 6th century. The parish church seen here was erected little inland, on a hill ("Perros" - "Pen-roz") and was dedicated to Saint Guirec. Within the 11th century, the first pilgrims on their way to Santiago passed through and so Saint-Jaques was added. Of the Romanesque church the nave and the southern walls still exist. Here is the southern portal. The tympanum depicts a "Majestas Domini". Christ seated on a throne as ruler of the world. He is surrounded by a mandorla and flanked by a lion (= Mark) and an eagle (= John).

Sos del Rey Católico is a quaint, historic town with a population of just over 600. Founded as "Sos" by Sancho I of Pamplona during the Reconquista in the early 10th century, the town changed its name to Sos del Rey Católico, after Ferdinand II of Aragon (aka "el Católico") was born here in 1452. The town is built on a mountaintop. You enter it by foot through the medieval gates, as the old walls, that surround the town still exist. The building of the "Iglesia de San Esteban" (= Saint Steven) started already mid of the 11th century, financed by Estefania de Foix, young widow of Garcia Sanchez III of Pamplona. The church got enlarged and altered over the next centuries many times. A narthex with gothic vaults was added within the 16th century to protect this Romanesque portal from the 12th century against the weather. Just like in nearby Sangüesa (13kms northwest) statues flank the doors. There are three large ones on either side, and various small ones inbetween. A close up of the tympanum: a Majestas Domini in a mandorla, the symbols of the evangelists and angels. A whitish substance (efflorescence?) seems to soften the stone. It needs profesional care and restauration really urgently.

"Santa María la Real" is one of the highlights for all people following the "Camino Aragonés" - since about 800 years. The facade is impressing it may take hours, to find out the many details. I stayed an extra day, when I had reached the town, just to see the shadows movig over the carvings. A church did exist here already in 1131 next to the bridge crossing the river Aragon. It was transferred by Alfonso I to the "Knights Hospitaller" (aka "Order of Saint John", later "Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta"). The apse is the oldest part of the structure and probably dates back to that time. The nave and the breathtaking Southern Portal of Santa María la Real were created late 12th/13th century. I have uploaded a "total overview" earlier and will now focus on some details. These two registers stretch over the complete facade. There is Christ, flanked by the symbols of the evangelists, and 14 large statues. Saint Peter holds the keys, the person holding the pilgrim's staff is probably St. Jaques. The whole group seems very static or even stiff compared to the sculptures flanking the entrance.