Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Cephalophor

Durham has its origins in 995, when monks from Lindisfarne, at that time on the run from the Vikings for over 100 years, chose this place as the final resting place for the mortal remains of St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne and founded a church. Cuthbert's grave attracted many pilgrims and over time a town developed around the church. In 1006 and 1038, this settlement was unsuccessfully attacked by Scots. The hilltop location of the town proved to be easy to defend. There was a predecessor building, a former Lindisfarn priory, from Anglo-Saxon times. The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid under the first bishop, William of St Calais, in 1093. With the monastery connected to it and its position on a difficult-to-attack hill in a bend of the River Wear, the complex served as Northumbria's bulwark against the Scots. The present building was substantially completed between 1093 and 1133. It is a significant example of the Romanesque style, and the nave ceiling is the earliest surviving example of a pointed rib vault. The east end was expanded in the Early English Gothic style in the 1230s The early Gothic west towers were completed in 1220. The west façade was given a large front window. The Romanesque choir end was demolished and replaced by the Chapel of the Nine Altars in 1242-1280. During the Reformation in England, initiated by Henry VIII, many of the furnishings were destroyed in the first iconoclasm. In 1539, the king also dissolved the Benedictine monastery in Durham. Around 1560, the medieval wall paintings that covered all the church walls inside were whitewashed and the figuratively designed stained glass windows were destroyed. Cephalophores, saints who carry their own head, are often found in France (e.g. St Denis). This could be St Cuthbert, but most often he is actually seen with two heads, his own and that of St Oswald, who was buried here with him. It is possible that the iconoclasts destroyed the head of St Cuthbert.

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. The martyrdom of Saint Donnino is depicted above the doors.