Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Relindis

Mont Sainte-Odile Abbey (aka "Hohenburg Abbey") was founded by Adalrich, Duke of Alsace, around 690. First abbess of the nunnery was his daughter Sainte Odile (aka "Odile of Alsace"), who by now is the patron saint of the Alsace, making the abbey today to a place of pilgrimage in the area. Second abbess of the monastery btw was Adalrich´s grand daughter Eugenia. Early nunneries often are family affairs e.g. Freckenhorst, Gandersheim.. The monastery got damaged, destroyed and looted a couple of times. After the French Revolution it got sold - and finally in 1853 the catholics of the Alsace had collected enough money, to buy it back - and present the buildings to the Bishop of Strassburg. Only a few structures of the monastery, constructed within the 12th century after the older buildings burnt down, have survived the times. One that still exists after more than 800 years is the baptistry (aka "Holy Cross Chapel"). A door door on the north side of the baptistery leads to the sepulchral chapel. In this chapel is the tomb of St. Odile - and all pilgrims gather here. So I did not take any photo there. The lintel over the door is interesting. It depicts probably a tree of life. I have the impression, that this a carving may originate from an earlier structure. Robert Will (in "Alsace Romane", Edition Zodiaque) dates the two chapels back to the time of abess Relindis (+ 1167).