Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Notre-Dame la Grande

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The famous facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin". But as I have already uploaded many photos of this beautiful church, I will just add two shots now. The polychrome "Mise au Tombeau" (Burial of Jesus) was created by an unknown artist. It is marked in the back 1555. It was carved for the Abbaye de la Trinité in Poitiers and originally had even two more statues. Since the abbey got demolished after the Revolution the "Mise au Tombeau" was moved to a side chapel of Notre Dame

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The famous facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin". But as I have already uploaded many photos of this beautiful church, I will just add two shots now. Seen here is the fresco of the apse.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. In April 2015 Notre-Dame la Grande marked the end of my walk, that I had started in Paris in 2014 following the "Via Turonensis". Now I was back to continue next morning. Ultreïa!

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed within the 11th century. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. It got enlarged by two spans (and a fantastic facade) within the first half of the 12th century, but the largest part of the nave is 11th century. The church was restored mid 19th century. Following the fashion, the columns and the vaults got painted with polychrome "byzantine" motifs. Some of the capitals got painted as well. Here is a Master of Beasts. Could be Daniel in the lions' den, but what is Daniel holding? Or somebody holding four large dogs on leashes. The the object the person is holding are the handles of the leashes then.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed within the 11th century. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. It got enlarged by two spans (and a fantastic facade) within the first half of the 12th century, but the largest part of the nave is 11th century. The church was restored mid 19th century. Following the fashion, the columns and the vaults got painted with polychrome "byzantine" motifs. Some of the capitals got painted as well. The person who worked her may have been a bit heavy handed.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed within the 11th century. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. It got enlarged by two spans (and a fantastic facade) within the first half of the 12th century, but the largest part of the nave is 11th century. Here is a statue of the Virgin, holding the keys of the town. This statue was carved end of the 16th century, and tradition says that this is a copy of the miraculous statue, destroyed by the Huguenots in 1562. The story behind is, that in year 1202, the English besieged Poitiers. The mayor's clerk made a deal with the English and promised to deliver the city´s keys to them in exchange for a large sum of money. When the clerk tried to steal the keys at night time, they had disappeared. The mayor as well realized that the keys had disappeared. He was alarmed, fearing treason, and went to the church to request a miracle. There he discovered the statue of the Virgin hold the keys. Soon after the English troops fled, frightened by the appearances of the Virgin, Saint Hilary and Saint Radegunda. The legend may not be very precise, as in 1202, Poitou formed a part of the English duchy of Aquitaine, under the reigns of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed within the 11th century. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. It got enlarged by two spans (and a fantastic facade) within the first half of the 12th century, but the largest part of the nave is 11th century. The large (but faint) fresco over the apse was created in the 11th century. Christ in Majesty (in a double mandorla) - and the 12 apostles.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed within the 11th century. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. It got enlarged by two spans (and a fantastic facade) within the first half of the 12th century, but the largest part of the nave is 11th century. The church was restored mid 19th century. Since this time the columns and the vaults are painted with polychrome "byzantine" motifs.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin". As the church went trough the Wars of Religions and the French Revolution many of the carvings are damaged. Here is a more detailed view on that frieze. Seen are the "Visitation", the "Nativity" and the "First Bath", watched by Joseph in his typical posture, his head is resting on his hand. Mary in childbed, ox and ass are seen over the crib. Baby Jesus smiles in the tub. The architecture of Bethlehem (?) reminds on fortified place. Note the two ("Greco-Roman") wrestlers just under Joseph and a very strange beast next to them. Take a closer look to the piece of miniature architecture. For a while I thought, that this might stand for "Bethlehem", but it cannot. When it was created it was kind of very contemporary, as behind the protecting wall is a church - with a cross on the roof. Strange to see that next to the Nativity.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin". As the church went trough the Wars of Religions and the French Revolution many of the carvings are damaged. Seen here is the right blind arch. The "storytelling" frieze, showing biblical episodes, that started on the left side continues. Here are "Visitation", the "Nativity" and the "First Bath", watched by Joseph on the right.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin". As the church went trough the Wars of Religions and the French Revolution many of the carvings are damaged. Seen here is the central arch of the facade with wonderful archivolts and strange animals above. A tympanum is not part of the "style poitevin". Here a tympanum is carved over the wooden door. This may be added with the door in the 19th century, when the church got restored.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin". As the church went trough the Wars of Religions and the French Revolution many of the carvings are damaged. Seen here are some details from the frieze over the left blind arch. To the very left are Adam and Eve chatting with the snake. The name of their neighbour is written behind him "NABUCADNOSOR REX" (aka "Nebuchadnezzar", "Nabuchodonosor"), probably dreaming in the sun. Following are four saints, probably the evangelists, two of them hold bibles. I cannot decipher the inscriptions. To the right a large angel talking to a saint. In the triangle below them is a very strange, frightening three-headed creature. Note the traces of colours near the angel.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin". As the church went trough the Wars of Religions and the French Revolution many of the carvings are damaged. Seen here is the left blind arch. Under four (headless) apostles runs a "storytelling" frieze, showing biblical episodes.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin". Seen here is the top tier, a richly-carved medallion of Christ in Glory (now headless), surmounted by the sun and moon and surrounded by the symbols of the Four Evangelists. As the church went trough the Wars of Religions and the French Revolution many of the carvings are damaged.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. I have visited Poitiers a couple of times - and spent hours in front of this church. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin".

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. I have visited Poitiers a couple of times - and spent hours in front of this church. Now, for the first (and probably last time) I had walked to Poitiers. As it was already late afternoon, I decided to stay an extra-day here, as there are more places Poitiers, that I wanted to visit. Notre-Dame la Grande marks the end of my walk, that I had started in Paris in 2014, for now. I hope to continue to Saintes or Pons later this year. Ultreïa!