Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Siren

The area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. The first foundation of a larger settlement can be dated to the 6th century BC - the Vettones, who were already under Celtic influence at this time, founded the town under the name Miróbriga. During the conquest of Lusitania, the city was conquered by the Romans and called Augustobriga. After the reconquest in the 12th century, the city was repopulated and walled in by King Ferdinand II of León. The old Visigothic bishopric of Calabria was converted into a new bishopric as a suffragan of the diocese of Santiago de Compostela. This was confirmed by Pope Alexander III in 1175 and led to the construction of the city's cathedral. The first bishop of whom anything certain is known was Pedro (1165). Although the city flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries, its location between the Portuguese border and Salamanca meant that it was the scene of several armed conflicts. During the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714), large parts of the city were destroyed. Today the city has around 12,000 inhabitants. The construction of the cathedral, initially promoted by Ferdinand II of León around 1168 and continued by his successors, took place between the 12th and 14th centuries. The building has undergone various reforms and reconstructions.

The area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. The first foundation of a larger settlement can be dated to the 6th century BC - the Vettones, who were already under Celtic influence at this time, founded the town under the name Miróbriga. During the conquest of Lusitania, the city was conquered by the Romans and called Augustobriga. After the reconquest in the 12th century, the city was repopulated and walled in by King Ferdinand II of León. The old Visigothic bishopric of Calabria was converted into a new bishopric as a suffragan of the diocese of Santiago de Compostela. This was confirmed by Pope Alexander III in 1175 and led to the construction of the city's cathedral. The first bishop of whom anything certain is known was Pedro (1165). Although the city flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries, its location between the Portuguese border and Salamanca meant that it was the scene of several armed conflicts. During the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714), large parts of the city were destroyed. Today the city has around 12,000 inhabitants. The construction of the cathedral, initially promoted by Ferdinand II of León around 1168 and continued by his successors, took place between the 12th and 14th centuries. The building has undergone various reforms and reconstructions.

It is unknown when this important abbey was founded here. Legends tell, that Charlemagne was involved as well as his son Louis the Pious and Benedict of Aniane. The church was erected from about 1050 on. As in the crypt of the large church the relics of St. Savin and St. Cyprian were displayed, a large ambulatory with five radial chapels was added for the many pilgrims. The church burnt down during the Hundred Years' War, but got rebuilt and reconstructed in the 17th and 19th century. As many medieval frescoes and murals have survived here since 1983 the "Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe" has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are about 400m² of frescoes. Under the barrel vault of the nave´s ceiling, 17 meters over ground, is indeed a "picture book". André Malraux hailed this as "the Sistine Chapel of the Romanesque period". It is well restored and breathtaking! Though I have already uploaded photos from previous visits, I will add some more.

A convent under the patronage of St. Peter was founded in Blesle within the 9th century by Ermengarde d’Auvergne, the mother of Guillaume le Pieux, who founded Cluny on 910. The construction of St. Piere (now a parish church) started end of 11th century. Within a hunderd years, most of the church was built, only the south portal, the tower and parts of the apse were done in the 14th century. "L'église Saint-Pierre" is remarkable for it´s interesting layout and the richness of romanesque carvings inside and outside. A capital in the transept shows these pale looking mermaids, wearing a headdress. I have the impression, that the capital had four sides once - and so four mermaids, but as a wall was built later - only two of them a visible. These are the collegues of the colourful mairmaid in the nave of the St. Pierre, which is probably more than 100 years younger.

A convent under the patronage of St. Peter was founded in Blesle within the 9th century by Ermengarde d’Auvergne, the mother of Guillaume le Pieux, who founded Cluny on 910. The construction of St. Piere (now a parish church) started end of 11th century. Within a hunderd years, most of the church was built, only the south portal, the tower and parts of the apse were done in the 14th century. "L'église Saint-Pierre" is remarkable for it´s interesting layout and the richness of romanesque carvings inside and outside. One of the capitals shows the carving of a mermaid. She is very colourful and golden fish scales are on her two tails. Actually she has a "collegue" in the transept.