Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Octogon

Montmorillon - Octagon

12 May 2014 185
The octagon belonged to a large "Maison Dieu" ensemble, that was founded as a hospital in the 11th century by Robert II of France (aka "Robert the Pious"), the son of Hugo Capet. This hospital, run by monks, provided food and shelter for the pilgrims and the sick. Though the hospital, that as well was a convent, got severely damaged over the centuries, it always got rebuilt. Today the buildings are renovated and house the local retirement home. The octagon was erected within the 12th century and ws used as chapel and ossuary. Medieval octagons follow certain traditions, that may start at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. They can be found all over Europe, often connected to the Knights Hospitaller. The original roof of the octagon (a stone spire?) got lost, the roof seen today dateds back to the 17th century, the lantern was added in 1997. But all the corbels around the roof are still original. Here is one, that reminds me on a child and a stuffed toy. Obvioulsy a teddy (ears!) with very long arms.

Montmorillon - Octagon

11 May 2014 271
The octagon belonged to a large "Maison Dieu" ensemble, that was founded as a hospital in the 11th century by Robert II of France (aka "Robert the Pious"), the son of Hugo Capet. This hospital, run by monks, provided food and shelter for the pilgrims and the sick. Though the hospital, that as well was a convent, got severely damaged over the centuries, it always got rebuilt. Today the buildings are renovated and house the local retirement home. The octagon was erected within the 12th century and ws used as chapel and ossuary. Medieval octagons follow certain traditions, that may start at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. They can be found all over Europe, often connected to the Knights Hospitaller. The western facade has this highly interesting sculptures, visible from two and four sides! The sculpted group was probably reused here. To the left is this Luxuria.

Montmorillon - Octagon

11 May 2014 202
The octagon belonged to a large "Maison Dieu" ensemble, that was founded as a hospital in the 11th century by Robert II of France (aka "Robert the Pious"), the son of Hugo Capet. This hospital, run by monks, provided food and shelter for the pilgrims and the sick. Though the hospital, that as well was a convent, got severely damaged over the centuries, it always got rebuilt. Today the buildings are renovated and house the local retirement home. The octagon was erected within the 12th century and ws used as chapel and ossuary. Medieval octagons follow certain traditions, that may start at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. They can be found all over Europe, often connected to the Knights Hospitaller. The western facade has this highly interesting sculptures, visible from two and four sides! The sculpted group was probably reused here. To the left is a Luxuria.

Montmorillon - Octagon

11 May 2014 237
The octagon belonged to a large "Maison Dieu" ensemble, that was founded as a hospital in the 11th century by Robert II of France (aka "Robert the Pious"), the son of Hugo Capet. This hospital, run by monks, provided food and shelter for the pilgrims and the sick. Though the hospital, that as well was a convent, got severely damaged over the centuries, it always got rebuilt. Today the buildings are renovated and house the local retirement home. The octagon was erected within the 12th century and ws used as chapel and ossuary. Medieval octagons follow certain traditions, that may start at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. They can be found all over Europe, often connected to the Knights Hospitaller. The western facade has this highly interesting sculptures, visible from two and four sides! The sculpted group was probably reused here. To the left is a Luxuria.

Montmorillon - Octagon

09 May 2014 1 255
The octagon, seen here, belonged to a large "Maison Dieu" ensemble, that was founded as a hospital in the 11th century by Robert II of France (aka "Robert the Pious"), the son of Hugo Capet. This hospital, run by monks, provided food and shelter for the pilgrims and the sick. Though the hospital, that as well was a convent, got severely damaged over the centuries, it always got rebuilt. Today the buildings are renovated and house the local retirement home. The octagon was erected within the 12th century and ws used as chapel and ossuary. Medieval octagons follow certain traditions, that may start at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. They can be found all over Europe, often connected to the Knights Hospitaller. A small group of visitors is waiting for the guide with the key. This was not our lucky day, as the guide did never showed up. We learned from the tourist office, that he unfortunately had fallen ill that day. So nobody could see the interior.

Montmorillon - Octagon

08 May 2014 1 241
The octagon belonged, like the church just seen, to a large "Maison Dieu" ensemble, that was founded as a hospital in the 11th century by Robert II of France (aka "Robert the Pious"), the son of Hugo Capet. This hospital, run by monks, provided food and shelter for the pilgrims and the sick. Though the hospital, that as well was a convent, got severely damaged over the centuries, it always got rebuilt. Today the buildings are renovated and house the local retirement home. The octagon was erected within the 12th century and was used as chapel and ossuary. I had come to Montmorrilon, to see this structure, as I am interested in medieval octogons. Of course, it was closed already that evening.