Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Gotland

After Duke Boleslaw III (aka "Boleslaus the Wry-mouthed") had captured the tonws along the Balitic sea in 1107 the area became part of the Duchy of Pomerania, a vassal state of Poland and later of Denmark in 1185. It became part of the Holy Roman Empire from 1227. In 1266, the growing town was granted a charter (Lübsches Stadtrecht), autonomy and multiple privileges to attract German settlers from the west. The city became a member of the Hanseatic League in 1386. As a result of German colonization, the town became mostly German-speaking. In 1516 local Germans enforced a ban on buying goods from Slavic speakers. It was also forbidden to accept native Slavs to craft guilds. In 1531 riots took place between supporters and opponents of the Protestant Reformation. In 1534 the city became mostly Lutheran under the influence of Johannes Bugenhagen. The city was granted to Brandenburg-Prussia after the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. The "Katedra Niepokalanego Poczęcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny" (Immaculate Conception) was built between 1300 and 1333 as a three-nave basilica of the brick Gothic style. The massive, 56 meter high tower was built on the west side. From 1534 to 1945 it served as the main church of the Lutheran congregation. Since 1972 it has been the cathedral of the new diocese of Koszalin-Kołobrzeg. This early Gothic baptismal font originally came from the island of Gotland. Along the southern Baltic coast there were no suitable stones for such work. However, these were available on Gotland, so that a veritable industry was able to develop on the island in the Middle Ages. The fonts were exported through the network of the Hanseatic League.

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldest city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" ("Soest Feud") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756, it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romanesque churches, built with the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an older church here. This giant triumph-cross is a very unique piece of art here. This "Scheibenkreuz" ("plate cross"), created ~1200, is the only one in "mainland" Europe and the oldest. Something similar can be found almost only on the island of Gotland in Sweden. However, these crosses are younger. Here nail marks exist, so originally Christ body was nailed to the cross. The plate cross, made of spruce and pine, has a height of 3.89 m and diameter of 2.72 m. Soest has had a very strong position within the Hanse League so there were for sure ties to Northern Europe, where this cross may have been created. A recent renovation prooved, that the wood originated in Northern Europe. A closer look.

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldest city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" ("Soest Feud") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756, it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romanesque churches, built with the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an older church here. This giant triumph-cross is a very unique piece of art here. This "Scheibenkreuz" ("plate cross"), created ~1200, is the only one in "mainland" Europe and the oldest. Something similar can be found almost only on the island of Gotland in Sweden. However, these crosses are younger. Here nail marks exist, so originally Christ body was nailed to the cross. The plate cross, made of spruce and pine, has a height of 3.89 m and diameter of 2.72 m. Soest has had a very strong position within the Hanse League so there were for sure ties to Northern Europe, where this cross may have been created.