Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: harvest

In 1927, which is quite recent, the town "Borgo San Donnino" changed its name to "Fidenza" as it was known as "Fidentia Julia" in Roman times. The city was given its name and the Duomo within the walls was dedicated to San Donnino di Fidenza (aka 'Donninus of Fidenza'), who was martyred nearby in 291. A legend tells, that when Charlemagne passed through "Borgo San Donnino", an angel told him, where to dig for San Donnino´s relics. He is connected to the city and the duomo. Sigeric the Serious, Archbishop of Canterbury, made a pilgrimage to Rome on the Via Francigena around 990. His contemporary accounts of this voyage still exist (and are the source of modern guidebooks). He reached "Sce Domnine" after 36 days, which is pretty fast for 1000+ km. Frederick Barbarossa had entrusted "Borgo San Donnino" to the Pallavicino family from Piacenza. In 1268, after a siege, the city was conquered by the troops of Parma, who plundered and burned it completely. All houses were destroyed at that time, only the unfinished Duomo was saved. The erection of the Cattedrale di San Donnino had started in the 11th century, the first consecration took place in 1106, though the building process continued. From around 1200 on Master Benedetto Antelami and his workshop worked here, not only as Master masons. Antelami may as well be the architect of the facade. A feudal scene. The knight presents his weapons, while the peasants are harvesting olives

Legends tell, that in 490, 492 and 493 the archangel Michael appeared to a shepherd and a bishop in front of a grotto. Archangel Michael instructing them to convert that cave into a Christian church. This grotto became the site of many pilgrimages since the early Middle Ages. It is said, that this is the oldest shrine in Western Europe When the Lombards successfully conquered southern Italy end of the 6th century, King Grimoald in 662 passed on the region to his son, Romuald I, who renovated the sanctuary and encouraged its use as a pilgrimage site. It got very popular for pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem and as well for pilgrims who had followed the Via Francigena to Rome and then continued to the grotto. Many Popes have been here, but as well Bridget of Sweden, Bernard of Clairvaux, Thomas Aquinas, Matilda of Tuscany, Otto III... Only about 100 meters south of the sanctuary is a complex of (once) three interconnected and partially nested buildings. Seen fltr is the portal of the "Tomba di Rotari", the apse of the church of San Pietro and the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The current building has a 10th-century predecessor and was built around 1170. The facade had been renewed after the earthquake in 1198. The nave has some nice capitals. Here are two persons harvesting (grapes?), while the left one, wearing a crown, seems to dance. He may even hold a tambourine.

Notre-Dame de Surgères was erected in the center of a large castle in the 12th century. The fortification, founded in the 9th century as a motte, when the area was raided by the Vikings, then guarded the border of the historical province of Aunis once. When the church was built a small town had developed around the defence already. Later a small priory and a "hopital" existed, as this was a halt on the Via Turonensis. The pilgrims had a lot to gape here, the facade is stunning 23 meters wide. Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henry II of England in 1152, so the area changed hands and was ruled by the House of Plantagenet. During the Hundred Years' War Surgères experienced a long period of decline. Louis XI´s troops conquered the town in 1472 and the fortifications got destructed. During that time Notre Dame lost the tower and large parts of the nave, but not the facade! There are more than 100 capitals and corbels all over the facade. There seems to be a medieval encyclopedia. This person is harvesting and may be connected to a "Labour of the Months"-cyclus.

Notre-Dame de Surgères was erected in the center of a large castle in the 12th century. The fortification, founded in the 9th century as a motte, when the area was raided by the Vikings, then guarded the border of the historical province of Aunis once. When the church was built a small town had developed around the defence already. Later a small priory and a "hopital" existed, as this was a halt on the Via Turonensis. The pilgrims had a lot to gape here, the facade is stunning 23 meters wide. Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henry II of England in 1152, so the area changed hands and was ruled by the House of Plantagenet. During the Hundred Years' War Surgères experienced a long period of decline. Louis XI´s troops conquered the town in 1472 and the fortifications got destructed. During that time Notre Dame lost the tower and large parts of the nave, but not the facade! There are more than 100 capitals and corbels all over the facade. There seems to be a medieval encyclopedia. This person is harvesting and may be connected to a "Labour of the Months"-cyclus.

Saint-Vincent actually is not in Montguyon, but in "Vaissiac" a hamlet, now part of Montguyon, that in medieval times hosted a priory. "Saint Vincent de Vaissiac", the church of the former priory, has the front that is so typical for the Charente. There are many archivolts over the elaborate portal with many columns and capitals, - but there is no tympanum. As the stones, that were used in this area within the 11th and 12th century, are very soft, the masters could create wonderful works of art, but - the stone weathers. So many carvings are gone - and others, like this one are - difficult to interpret. I see a person with a basket on his/her back, harvesting. Maybe grapes?