Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: climber

A monastery was founded here mid 10th century. Records exist from 994 on. Egas Moniz o Aio, teacher (= o Aio) and guardian of Afonso I , the first King of Portugal, bequeasted half of his wealth against the promise to be buried here. Between 1088 and 1106 Benedictine monks from Cluny settled here. The church of today was probably erected in the first half of the 13th century, but later lots of modifications were done. The monks kept the promise, when Egas Moniz o Aio died in 1146, he was buried here - and got a fantastic tomb. Unfortunately the church was locked - and I could not see it. On the side of the former convent´s church is the most unique medieval carving I have seen in a long time. A person climbing out of a small round window (oculus). Probably a dangerous climb, as the guy lost his head.

Since 365, when Saint Marcellin became the first bishop here, a cathedral existed in Embrun. Saint Gregory of Tours wrote about a "basilica mirabilis" built over the tombs of Saints Nazarius and Celsus. After the Lombards had sacked Embrun end of the 6th century, Charlemagne funded the erection of a new cathedral. In the 10th century the Sarazens raided the area - and again looted the town (and killed the bishop). The cathedral of today was built on foundations of Charlemagne´s basilica between 1170 and 1220. The northern, Romanesque portal / narthex named "Port Real" (or "Portal des Rois Mages") got its name, as in the 14th century the tympanum got covered by a frescoe depicting the Magi. The frescoe was destroyed during, when the church got severely damaged during the French Wars of Religion, so by now the Romanesque tympanum is seen again. The artists, who created this portal, had a sense of droll humour. Between the pillars on the left side a little guy climbs up - and peeps down to the tourists. Maybe one of the aliens, who later visited Roswell, stayed here.