Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: pillar eater

Ruvo di Puglia, founded probably by Greek settlers, was a "municipium" in Roman times. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it got destroyed by Visigothic troops in the 5th centuryand later again by the Lombards. It was then Byzantine and later under Saracen and the Norman power. The Ruvo Cathedral, once the episcopal seat of the Diocese of Ruvo, is now a co-cathedral in the Diocese of Molfetta-Ruvo-Giovinazzo-Terlizzi. It was built over a previous church and is an important example of late Apulian Romanesque architecture, built between the 12th and 13th centuries. The current exterior is the result of early 20th-century restoration works which removed the Baroque additions. The church has a sloped façade with three portals. The central one is larger and sophisticatly decorated. Between the portal and a large 16th-century rose window is this double mullioned window with a bas-relief of the "Archangel Michael Defeating the Devil". Note the left side of the window. "Pillar eaters" are pretty common in Romanesque times, but two pillars in one mouth are rarely seen.

Saint Martin, now parish church of Périgné, was erected within the 12th century. The rich Romanesque style was obviously influenced by the studios working at the Abbey of Celles-sur-Belle, only 12 kms northwest. The building severely suffered during the medieval wars and conflicts, but got restored and rebuilt afterwards a couple of times in different styles. The Romanesque nave has some very interesting portals. Note the gargantuan pillar eater to the right.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. The southern side has 12 (of the 24) Elders of the Apocalypse, a Agnus Dei and the wooden door. Here are three of the Elders, holding vielles and "golden vials full of odours". To the right is a hinge of the wooden door. Note the "miniature architecture", even the capitals are nicely designed, one with a "pillar eater". Revelation 4:4 "Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads."