Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: virgin

Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country and the tenth largest city in Spain, with a population of about 350,000. The metropolitan area has more than 1,000,000 inhabitants. After its foundation in the late 13th century Bilbao was one of the commercial hubs of the Basque Country that enjoyed significant importance in the Crown of Castile. In 1372, John I of Castile named Bilbao a free port and granting it special privileges concerning the trade of iron. This caused Bilbao to become an important port, particularly due to its trade with Flanders and Great Britain. In 1511, Queen Joanna of Castile ordered the creation of the Consulate of the Sea of Bilbao. Under the Consulate's control, the port of Bilbao became one of the most important of the kingdom. The first printing-press was brought to the town in 1577. Here in 1596, the first book in the Basque language was edited. Around 1631, the city was the scenario of a series of revolts against the increased taxation on salt, an event locally known as the "Machinada of the salt". The revolt ended with the execution of several of its leaders. The city had seen a continuous increase of its wealth, especially after the discovery of extensive iron deposits in the surrounding mountains. Despite the Peninsular War and the Carlist Wars, Bilbao prospered during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, when it rose as the economic centre of the Basque Country. In 1936, during the Spanish Civil War the city suffered its first bombing. The Nationalists threatened further bombing if the city did not give up. In September German planes, in coordination with Francoist forces, dropped at least a hundred bombs on the city. With the war over, Bilbao returned to its industrial development, accompanied by steady population growth. In the 1980s, several factors led to a devastating industrial crisis. Since the mid-1990s, Bilbao has been in a process of deindustrialization and transition to a service economy. It started with the opening of the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum, continuing with the Conference Centre and the Concert Hall and the metro network. Bilbao Cathedral is the episcopal church of the diocese of Bilbao, which was founded in 1949. The Gothic church, which was elevated to basilica minor status in 1819, dates back to a pilgrimage church on the coastal route of the Way of St James. A chapel for pilgrims on the Way of St James already existed before the town was founded in 1300. From 1380, a new parish and collegiate church was built on the site of the chapel. The new building testifies to the rapidly growing importance of the town. The cathedral is inspired by French cathedral Gothic. It is a three-aisled basilica with a central transept. The portal façade and the bell tower were rebuilt between 1885 and 1890. The Virgin

Vila Real (population 17,500) is located on a plateau above the headland formed by the gorges of the rivers Corgo and Cabril. This is where the oldest part of the town is located, framed by the slopes of the Corgo gorge. The area has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic period. The rock sanctuary of Panóias bears witness to the presence of the Romans. However, during the migration period and the Muslim invasion, the area gradually became depopulated. At the end of the 11th century the colonisation of the region was encouraged. It was not until 1289 that a charter from King D. Dinis founded the royal town of Panóias, which became the current town. The modern Vila Velha Museum is the result of the archaeological campaigns that have been carried out in recent years but there is as well a wide collection (especially coins)

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. Medieval virgin

Today, Plasencia is a city with more than 40,000 inhabitants. The city was founded in 1186 by Alfonso VIII of Castile during the reconquest of the Moorish-occupied territories from the 10th century onwards and was elevated to the status of a bishop's see by Pope Clement III just three years later. However, the conflicts between Christians and the Almohads, who were dominant at the time, continued until 1212, when the city finally came under Christian rule after the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa. Plasencia Cathedral comprises two buildings: one known as the Old Cathedral, begun in the 13th century in the Romanesque style in transition to the Gothic. The remains of the original church include the naves, the western façade, the Gothic-style cloister and the chapter room crowned with a ribbed dome in the Byzantine tradition. The New Cathedral, begun in the 15th century, is in the Gothic style. It has high vaults supported by groups of columns. The Old Cathedral (Catedral vieja) currently houses the Cathedral Museum, while the New Cathedral (Catedral nueva) is the seat of the diocese of Plasencia

Pliny the Elder mentions Segontia in the 1st century AD in his work "Naturalis Historia" as a Celtiberian settlement. The area was taken by the Romans in the Numantine War (154-133 BC). After the end of the Western Roman Empire, the city was conquered by the Visigoths, who also founded the diocese of Sigüenza in 589. Taken over by the Moors around 712, the Christians reconquered the city in 1123. The construction of the cathedral began only a short time later, but it would take several centuries to complete. Today Sigüenza is a town with a population of about 4500. The Visigoths built a small castle in the 5th century above the town. The Moors built a large fortified castle in the early 8th century. It was enclosed by a defensive wall providing an area known as the medina. In 1124, the castle was retaken by Bernard of Agen allowing Simón Girón de Cisneros to build an episcopal palace there. In the 15th century, the castle was strengthened by the bishops to protect it from attacks from Aragon and Navarre. Virgen con Nino / 14th c. /

Pliny the Elder mentions Segontia in the 1st century AD in his work "Naturalis Historia" as a Celtiberian settlement. The area was taken by the Romans in the Numantine War (154-133 BC). After the end of the Western Roman Empire, the city was conquered by the Visigoths, who also founded the diocese of Sigüenza in 589. Taken over by the Moors around 712, the Christians reconquered the city in 1123. The construction of the cathedral began only a short time later, but it would take several centuries to complete. Today Sigüenza is a town with a population of about 4500. The Visigoths built a small castle in the 5th century above the town. The Moors built a large fortified castle in the early 8th century. It was enclosed by a defensive wall providing an area known as the medina. In 1124, the castle was retaken by Bernard of Agen allowing Simón Girón de Cisneros to build an episcopal palace there. In the 15th century, the castle was strengthened by the bishops to protect it from attacks from Aragon and Navarre. Virgen con Nino / 13th c. /

Pliny the Elder mentions Segontia in the 1st century AD in his work "Naturalis Historia" as a Celtiberian settlement. The area was taken by the Romans in the Numantine War (154-133 BC). After the end of the Western Roman Empire, the city was conquered by the Visigoths, who also founded the diocese of Sigüenza in 589. Taken over by the Moors around 712, the Christians reconquered the city in 1123. The construction of the cathedral began only a short time later, but it would take several centuries to complete. Today Sigüenza is a town with a population of about 4500. The Visigoths built a small castle in the 5th century above the town. The Moors built a large fortified castle in the early 8th century. It was enclosed by a defensive wall providing an area known as the medina. In 1124, the castle was retaken by Bernard of Agen allowing Simón Girón de Cisneros to build an episcopal palace there. In the 15th century, the castle was strengthened by the bishops to protect it from attacks from Aragon and Navarre. Virgen de la Conception / 15th c. / I have seen a couple of "Virgen de la Conception". It seems to be a Spanish icon, as I do not remember such virgins further north.

Under the Visigoths, Ávila was one of the most important cities in the kingdom due to its proximity to the capital Toledo. From the 8th to the 11th centuries, Ávila was Moorish. The situation in the contested borderland between the Muslim and Christian worlds prevented prosperity, which only began in the 15th century when the fighting moved further south. The city experienced its heyday in the 16th century. The plague, the expulsion of the Moriscos (baptized Moors), and the emigration of many people to America caused Ávila's gradual decline, from which the city has only slowly recovered since the 19th century. Today the population is around 60,000. The “Catedral de Ávila” was planned as a cathedral fortress. The choir is fully integrated into the aalls and its apse was one of the towers of the city wall. The building, a mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles, dates back to the 12th century and is considered one of the first Gothic cathedrals in Spain. The client was probably Alfonso VIII. The first draft comes from Master Girald Fruchel (+ 1192). The cathedral shows French influences and great resemblances to the Abbey Church of St Denis, Initially created in the choir with a double ambulatory. The nave was only completed in the 14th century. Over time it became clear that the proportions of the central nave and the low side aisles caused structural problems. In the 18th century, support arches were added and the crossing pillars were strengthened. There is a museum attached to the cathedral. Virgin, 13th c

Under the Visigoths, Ávila was one of the most important cities in the kingdom due to its proximity to the capital Toledo. From the 8th to the 11th centuries, Ávila was Moorish. The situation in the contested borderland between the Muslim and Christian worlds prevented prosperity, which only began in the 15th century when the fighting moved further south. The city experienced its heyday in the 16th century. The plague, the expulsion of the Moriscos (baptized Moors), and the emigration of many people to America caused Ávila's gradual decline, from which the city has only slowly recovered since the 19th century. Today the population is around 60,000. The “Catedral de Ávila” was planned as a cathedral fortress. The choir is fully integrated into the aalls and its apse was one of the towers of the city wall. The building, a mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles, dates back to the 12th century and is considered one of the first Gothic cathedrals in Spain. The client was probably Alfonso VIII. The first draft comes from Master Girald Fruchel (+ 1192). The cathedral shows French influences and great resemblances to the Abbey Church of St Denis, Initially created in the choir with a double ambulatory. The nave was only completed in the 14th century. Over time it became clear that the proportions of the central nave and the low side aisles caused structural problems. In the 18th century, support arches were added and the crossing pillars were strengthened. There is a museum attached to the cathedral. Mutilated Virgin, 13th c

Under the Visigoths, Ávila was one of the most important cities in the kingdom due to its proximity to the capital Toledo. From the 8th to the 11th centuries, Ávila was Moorish. The situation in the contested borderland between the Muslim and Christian worlds prevented prosperity, which only began in the 15th century when the fighting moved further south. The city experienced its heyday in the 16th century. The plague, the expulsion of the Moriscos (baptized Moors), and the emigration of many people to America caused Ávila's gradual decline, from which the city has only slowly recovered since the 19th century. Today the population is around 60,000. The “Catedral de Ávila” was planned as a cathedral fortress. The choir is fully integrated into the aalls and its apse was one of the towers of the city wall. The building, a mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles, dates back to the 12th century and is considered one of the first Gothic cathedrals in Spain. The client was probably Alfonso VIII. The first draft comes from Master Girald Fruchel (+ 1192). The cathedral shows French influences and great resemblances to the Abbey Church of St Denis, Initially created in the choir with a double ambulatory. The nave was only completed in the 14th century. Over time it became clear that the proportions of the central nave and the low side aisles caused structural problems. In the 18th century, support arches were added and the crossing pillars were strengthened. There is a museum attached to the cathedral.

Under the Visigoths, Ávila was one of the most important cities in the kingdom due to its proximity to the capital Toledo. From the 8th to the 11th centuries, Ávila was Moorish. The situation in the contested borderland between the Muslim and Christian worlds prevented prosperity, which only began in the 15th century when the fighting moved further south. The city experienced its heyday in the 16th century. The plague, the expulsion of the Moriscos (baptized Moors), and the emigration of many people to America caused Ávila's gradual decline, from which the city has only slowly recovered since the 19th century. Today the population is around 60,000. The “Catedral de Ávila” was planned as a cathedral fortress. The choir is fully integrated into the aalls and its apse was one of the towers of the city wall. The building, a mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles, dates back to the 12th century and is considered one of the first Gothic cathedrals in Spain. The client was probably Alfonso VIII. The first draft comes from Master Girald Fruchel (+ 1192). The cathedral shows French influences and great resemblances to the Abbey Church of St Denis, Initially created in the choir with a double ambulatory. The nave was only completed in the 14th century. Over time it became clear that the proportions of the central nave and the low side aisles caused structural problems. In the 18th century, support arches were added and the crossing pillars were strengthened. There is a museum attached to the cathedral. Virgin, 13th c

The place was first mentioned in a document from 973. It fell under the rule of the Holy Roman Empire, and a stone castle was built, around which the settlement congregated. A market is attested in 1119. Torgau belonged to the duchy of Saxe-Wittenberg, which in 1356 was raised to be the Electorate of Saxony. After the last Ascanian duke died without issue in 1423, the Electorate passed to the Wettin dynasty, which took up its residence at Torgau. After 1485 Friedrich III, Elector of Saxony and his successors had Schloss Hartenfels (Hartenfels Castle) at Torgau built. During the Reformation, the town council closed all monasteries in 1523. Citizens of Torgau destroyed paintings and statues of saints in the churches and stormed the Franciscan monastery. The Marienkirche is a late Gothic hall church with older components. The construction goes back to Romanesque origins, which have been preserved in the west building of the church. They originate from a Romanesque basilica built between 1200 and 1220. The present hall church was probably built after 1380 starting with the choir. The roof truss was dendrochronologically dated to 1463. Under the gothic vault

Lügde was first mentioned in 784 in the "Annales Regni Francorum" ("Royal Frankish Annals") when Charlemagne celebrated his first Christmas in what was then the Duchy of Saxony, namely in "Villa Liuhidi". At that time a small, wooden church probably existed. It may have been built outside the settlement on a previous thing-place, at the time of the first Saxon Wars. This was, where Charlemagne celebrated the Christmas mass. The foundations of this early church were found during excavations, undertaken in and around the Romanesque church dedicated to St. Kilian. The oldest part of St. Kilian, a cruciform vaulted basilica, is the tower, built around 1100 and raised by 1200. Nave and choir were built at the end of the 12th century. Once the walls were covered with murals. Many of them, like this Gothic Virgin and Child, are partly lost.

A Benedictian monastery was founded by Hiberno-Scottish monks in Regensburg already around 1070. Soon after, the convent moved to a place just outside the city walls and in started to erect first buildings. The first church, consecrated in 1120, was of such a poor workmanship, that the convent decided to tear it down (except one apse and the flanking towers) and restart the process. The church of today was completed before 1200. It is one of the most important Romanesque structures in Bavaria. The abbey was a hub for the Irish/Scottish mission to central Europe. Daughter establishments of St. Jakob were founded in Vienna (1155), Erfurt (1136), Wuerzburg (1138), Nuremberg (1140), Constance (1142), Eichstaett (1148), Memmingen (1178), Kiev (!) (late 12th century) and Kelheim (13th century). WHile the first monks and abbots were Irish, the Scottish period started after the Reformation with Scottish abbot Ninian Vincet (1577-1592). A century later Scottish priests were educated here to do missionary work back in Scotland. Abbot Benedikt Aburthnot (1737-1820) could avoid the secularisation in 1802 by making clear, that the monastery was a Scottish (not at all Bavarian!) national treasure. It took upto 1814 to incorporate the Scottish monastery into the Bavarian sovereignty. Monastic life finally ended here in 1862, when the buildings were taken over by the bishop, who 10 years later founded a still existing seminary here. The northern portal ("Schottenportal") is one of the most important (and largest) Romanesque works of art in Germany. It occupies a third of the church´s northern wall and is divided into thirds both horizontally and vertically, plus a small frieze that tops the central arch (the vertical center). While most authors reckon, that Irish masters created this portal, Marcel Durliat sees parallels to works in Northern Italy, created by the Comacine masters ("Magistri Comacini"). He even connects this portal to the carvings in Linden and Remagen. The interpretation of such a large and cryptic portal has been controversial since the beginning, what means the 19th century, as only since then Romanesque carvings were seen as works of art (mostly). There was even a theory claiming that such a carving could not have been done during the 12th/13th century, and that it probably was added to the church later. The time of origin is not disputed any longer, but the meaning of figures and symbols. Richard Strobel ("Romanik in Altbayern") has no hard facts, but found out, that left (eastern) side stands for the "Good", while the right side stands for the "Evil". This meanwhile is undisputed. This is the largest "third" of the left side. In the center a (headless) Virgin, having Christ on her lap. She holds an apple in her hand, a symbol of the "New Eve". The Virgin flanked by two mythical pairs. The left couple seems to be floating. The right person is bearded and wears two braids.The couple to the right seems to be in a beardpulling gesture, but is not. The left person is female (long braids) - and her husband (beard) obviously strokes her under the chin. Above them are (under the arches) two dogs - not three. Below them a large winged dragon, devouring a lion. In the center, below the dragon is a mermaids (note the tails), placed on a very weathered lion - and to the right another person riding a weathered lion.

"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. Below the "Last Judgement" are the Virgin and the twelve apostles, all standing under arches. The masterly carving style is late-Romanesque and very elegant. All pillars and capitals differ, some pillars are even angled. A perfect piece of miniature architecture. The apostles (note the attributes) are gesticulating and seem to communicate. (Pretty large) Jesus, sitting in the crowned Virgin´s knees, is blessing the onlookers.