Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Lothair I

The Romans founded this city 8BC under the name "Confluentes". Koblenz by now is situated on both banks of the Rhine at its confluence (sic!) with the Moselle. The oldest church in Koblenz is the Basilica of St. Kastor, located next to the "Deutsches Eck". The first church here was built as part of a monastery 817-836 by Hetto, Archbishop of Trier, with the support of Louis the Pious, son of Charlemagne. In 842 provisions of the division of the Frankish kingdom were negotiated here by representatives of Louis´ three sons Lothair I, Charles the Bald and Louis the German. This negotiation resulted in the Treaty of Verdun (843), which divided the Frankish Empire into three parts (West Francia, Middle Francia and East Francia). Normans raided the area and destroyed the Carolingian church in 882. Rebuilding started soon after. The new church grew much larger over the next 200 years. In 1138 Konrad III was elected here by an assembly consisting only of friends and supporters. Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian and Edward III of England swore allegiance and friendship at St. Kastor in 1338. The monastery existed upto 1802. At that time Koblenz was French. All building including the cloister got demolished. The church since then served the local parish. St. Kastor got renovated within the 19th century, but in 1944 St. Kastor was damaged by an air raid. Rebuilding started just after WWII, the restauration of the interior was finally completed in 1990. The once flat, wooden ceiling got replaced by this wonderful gothic vaulting 1496-1499.

The Romans founded this city 8BC under the name "Confluentes". Koblenz by now is situated on both banks of the Rhine at its confluence (sic!) with the Moselle. The oldest church in Koblenz is the Basilica of St. Kastor, located next to the "Deutsches Eck". The first church here was built as part of a monastery 817-836 by Hetto, Archbishop of Trier, with the support of Louis the Pious, son of Charlemagne. In 842 provisions of the division of the Frankish kingdom were negotiated here by representatives of Louis´ three sons Lothair I, Charles the Bald and Louis the German. This negotiation resulted in the Treaty of Verdun (843), which divided the Frankish Empire into three parts (West Francia, Middle Francia and East Francia). Normans raided the area and destroyed the Carolingian church in 882. Rebuilding started soon after. The new church grew much larger over the next 200 years. In 1138 Konrad III was elected here by an assembly consisting only of friends and supporters. Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian and Edward III of England swore allegiance and friendship at St. Kastor in 1338. The monastery existed upto 1802. At that time Koblenz was French. All building including the cloister got demolished. The church since then served the local parish. St. Kastor got renovated within the 19th century, but in 1944 St. Kastor was damaged by an air raid. Rebuilding started just after WWII, the restauration of the interior was finally completed in 1990. The once flat, wooden ceiling got replaced by this wonderful gothic vaulting 1496-1499.

The Romans founded this city 8BC under the name "Confluentes". Koblenz by now is situated on both banks of the Rhine at its confluence (sic!) with the Moselle. The oldest church in Koblenz is the Basilica of St. Kastor, located next to the "Deutsches Eck". The first church here was built as part of a monastery 817-836 by Hetto, Archbishop of Trier, with the support of Louis the Pious, son of Charlemagne. In 842 provisions of the division of the Frankish kingdom were negotiated here by representatives of Louis´ three sons Lothair I, Charles the Bald and Louis the German. This negotiation resulted in the Treaty of Verdun (843), which divided the Frankish Empire into three parts (West Francia, Middle Francia and East Francia). Normans raided the area and destroyed the Carolingian church in 882. Rebuilding started soon after. The new church grew much larger over the next 200 years. In 1138 Konrad III was elected here by an assembly consisting only of friends and supporters. Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian and Edward III of England swore allegiance and friendship at St. Kastor in 1338. The monastery existed upto 1802. At that time Koblenz was French. All building including the cloister got demolished. The church since then served the local parish. St. Kastor got renovated within the 19th century, but in 1944 St. Kastor was damaged by an air raid. Rebuilding started just after WWII, the restauration of the interior was finally completed in 1990. The apse and the flanking towers.

The Romans founded this city 8BC under the name "Confluentes". Koblenz by now is situated on both banks of the Rhine at its confluence (sic!) with the Moselle. The oldest church in Koblenz is the Basilica of St. Kastor, located next to the "Deutsches Eck". The first church here was built as part of a monastery 817-836 by Hetto, Archbishop of Trier, with the support of Louis the Pious, son of Charlemagne. In 842 provisions of the division of the Frankish kingdom were negotiated here by representatives of Louis´ three sons Lothair I, Charles the Bald and Louis the German. This negotiation resulted in the Treaty of Verdun (843), which divided the Frankish Empire into three parts (West Francia, Middle Francia and East Francia). Normans raided the area and destroyed the Carolingian church in 882. Rebuilding started soon after. The new church grew much larger over the next 200 years. In 1138 Konrad III was elected here by an assembly consisting only of friends and supporters. Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian and Edward III of England swore allegiance and friendship at St. Kastor in 1338. The monastery existed upto 1802. At that time Koblenz was French. All building including the cloister got demolished. The church since then served the local parish. St. Kastor got renovated within the 19th century, but in 1944 St. Kastor was damaged by an air raid. Rebuilding started just after WWII, the restauration of the interior was finally completed in 1990.

The Basilica di San Pietro e Paolo is known since the 9th century, as the erection was funded by Engelberga, the powerful wife of Louis II (aka "Louis the Younger"). Louis II was the King of Italy and Roman Emperor from 844, co-ruling with his father Lothair I until 855, after which he ruled alone. In October 1106 the "Council of Guastalla" took place here. The council was chaired by Pope Paschal II. The dignitaries discussed the relationship to Clement III, the (Anti-)Pope by the grace Henry IV, whom Clement III had crowned Holy Roman Emperor. Another episode of the very long investiture controversy. The friendly gardener, who was cleaning the place, opened the church for us. Mille grazie!

The Basilica di San Pietro e Paolo is known since the 9th century, as the erection was funded by Engelberga, the powerful wife of Louis II (aka "Louis the Younger"). Louis II was the King of Italy and Roman Emperor from 844, co-ruling with his father Lothair I until 855, after which he ruled alone. In October 1106 the "Council of Guastalla" took place here. The council was chaired by Pope Paschal II. The dignitaries discussed the relationship to Clement III, the (Anti-)Pope by the grace Henry IV, whom Clement III had crowned Holy Roman Emperor. Another episode of the very long investiture controversy.

Louis the Pious (aka "Louis I the Fair)", King of Aquitaine, the only surviving adult son of Charlemagne, had a castle here. When in 898, the monks of Saint-Maixent (Poitou) fled the norman invasion, they found shelter in that castle. With them they had carried the relics of Saint-Leger and Saint Maixent, being probably the most valuable possesion they had. The castle was given to the monks by Louis´son, opponent and successor Lothair and transformed into a monastery. Between the 10th and the 13th century, the very large abbey church was erected. Through the pilgrimage to the valuable relics, that were on display here, the abbey got pretty important in medieval times. Times changed over the centuries. In 1744 "Abbe Sade", uncle of the Marquis de Sade got this abbey as a prebendary. The abbey was financially ruined. Already in 1768, years before the Revolution, the abbey was given up and old buildings were used as a hospital. Here is one of the two lion-heads from the doors. The wooden doors had been covered by red dyed leather. I do not think that this is still the original leather. The inscription around the plate reads "ADEST PORTA PER QUAM JUSTI REDEUNT AD PATRIAM" (This is the door through which the righteous ones return home).

Louis the Pious (aka "Louis I the Fair)", King of Aquitaine, the only surviving adult son of Charlemagne, had a castle here. When in 898, the monks of Saint-Maixent (Poitou) fled the norman invasion, they found shelter in that castle. With them they had carried the relics of Saint-Leger and Saint Maixent, being probably the most valuable possesion they had. The castle was given to the monks by Louis´son, opponent and successor Lothair and transformed into a monastery. Between the 10th and the 13th century, the very large abbey church was erected. Through the pilgrimage to the valuable relics, that were on display here, the abbey got pretty important in medieval times. Times changed over the centuries. In 1744 "Abbe Sade", uncle of the Marquis de Sade got this abbey as a prebendary. The abbey was financially ruined. Already in 1768, years before the Revolution, the abbey was given up and old buildings were used as a hospital. Behind the altar, in the center of the gothic choir is the shrine holding the relics of Saint-Léger.

Louis the Pious (aka "Louis I the Fair)", King of Aquitaine, the only surviving adult son of Charlemagne, had a castle here. When in 898, the monks of Saint-Maixent (Poitou) fled the norman invasion, they found shelter in that castle. With them they had carried the relics of Saint-Leger and Saint Maixent, being probably the most valuable possesion they had. The castle was given to the monks by Louis´son, opponent and successor Lothair and transformed into a monastery. Between the 10th and the 13th century, the very large abbey church was erected. Through the pilgrimage to the valuable relics, that were on display here, the abbey got pretty important in medieval times. Times changed over the centuries. In 1744 "Abbe Sade", uncle of the Marquis de Sade got this abbey as a prebendary. The abbey was financially ruined. Already in 1768, years before the Revolution, the abbey was given up and old buildings were used as a hospital. Standing in the nave facing east. The total length of the church is - 46 meters. Bernard Craplet ("Auvergne Romane") found five different building phases (961 - 1200). He claims, that the restauration works done in the 19th century destroyed a lot of the original structure. From this point of view, the nave seems pretty homogenious. Light comes in from the clerestory. The nave was never vaulted. The timber roof truss above is probably very similar to the original roof structure 12th century.

Louis the Pious (aka "Louis I the Fair)", King of Aquitaine, the only surviving adult son of Charlemagne, had a castle here. When in 898, the monks of Saint-Maixent (Poitou) fled the norman invasion, they found shelter in that castle. With them they had carried the relics of Saint-Leger and Saint Maixent, being probably the most valuable possesion they had. The castle was given to the monks by Louis´son, opponent and successor Lothair and transformed into a monastery. Between the 10th and the 13th century, the very large abbey church was erected. Through the pilgrimage to the valuable relics, that were on display here, the abbey got pretty important in medieval times. Times changed over the centuries. In 1744 "Abbe Sade", uncle of the Marquis de Sade got this abbey as a prebendary. The abbey was financially ruined. Already in 1768, years before the Revolution, the abbey was given up and old buildings were used as a hospital. The doors, leading from the narthex to the nave, have some romanesque iron works including two different lion-heads. Above the entrance are three sculptures of the former tympanum, these were found buried under the floor of the church in 1860.

Louis the Pious (aka "Louis I the Fair)", King of Aquitaine, the only surviving adult son of Charlemagne, had a castle here. When in 898, the monks of Saint-Maixent (Poitou) fled the norman invasion, they found shelter in that castle. With them they had carried the relics of Saint-Leger and Saint-Maixent, being probably the most valuable possession they had. The castle was given to the monks by Louis´son, opponent and successor Lothair and from then on transformed into a monastery. Between the 10th and the 13th century, the very large abbey church was erected. Through the pilgrimage to the valuable relics, that were on display here, the abbey got pretty important in medieval times. Times changed over the centuries. In 1744 "Abbe Sade", uncle of the Marquis de Sade got this abbey as a prebendary. The abbey was financially ruined. Already in 1768, years before the Revolution, the abbey was given up and old buildings were used as a hospital. The narthex is very impressing. I have the impression, that the architect, who did this, had seen Saint-Benoît sur Loire before. Saint-Benoit is much more massive, but the idea of a narthex-tower can be seen there as well. To the very right is the portal to buildings of the former monastery.

Louis the Pious (aka "Louis I the Fair)", King of Aquitaine, the only surviving adult son of Charlemagne, had a castle here. When in 898, the monks of Saint-Maixent, fled the norman invasion, they found shelter in that castle. With them they had carried the relics of Saint-Leger and Saint Maixent. Probably the most valuable possessions they had. The castle was given to the monks by Louis´ son and successor Lothair and from then on transformed into a monastery. Between the 10th and the 13th century, the very large abbey church was erected. Through the pilgrimage to the valuable relics, that were on display here, the abbey got pretty important. Times changed a lot over the centuries. In 1744 Jacques-François-Paul-Aldonce de Sade (aka "Abbe Sade") got this abbey as a prebendary, a friend of Voltaire. In 1762 he was in jail for a short time, accused for sexual misconduct. His nephew was the Donatien-Alphonse-François, the well known Marquis de Sade. Since the French Revolution Saint-Leger serves as a parish church. Here, facing south, only the narthex (right) and the nave of Saint-Leger can be seen.