Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: St. Peter und Paul

Nysa was probably founded in the 10th century. The name of the Nysa river, from which the town takes its name, was mentioned in 991 when it was part of the Duchy of Poland under Mieszko I. A Polish stronghold was built in Nysa in the 11th and 12th centuries due to the proximity of the border with the Czech Duchy. From the 14th century on it was administered by the Bishopric of Wrocław. Nysa was granted town rights around 1223 and attracted Flemish and German settlers. In 1241 it was ravaged by the Mongols during the first Mongol invasion. In 1245, it was granted staple right and two yearly fairs were established. Nysa became an important trade and craft center of Poland before it passed under the suzerainty of the Bohemian Crown in 1351, under which it remained until 1742. The town's fortifications from 1350 served to defend against the Hussites in 1424. During the Thirty Years' War, it was besieged three times. It was looted by the Saxons and Swedes. During the First Silesian War in 1741, it was captured by Prussians. In 1758 it was unsuccessfully besieged by the Austrians and stayed Prussian. Towards the end of WWII, about 80% of the city center was destroyed. Most affected were the houses on the Rynek (Market Place) and the houses along the main streets. - In 1346 monks built a monastery and hospital complex in the Old Town, next to the Church of Maria in Rosis (Our Lady of the Rosary). After the fire resulting from fights with the Hussites, they were moved and the church was finally demolished in 1622. The collegiate church of St. Peter and Paul was built between 1720 and 1727 by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in the Baroque style on the former city wall. After secularization in 1810, the church became a soap factory for a time. In the 19th century there was a hospital in the monastery, in the years 1949–1997 it was the seat of the theological seminary, now it houses the Diocesan Gymnasium The church was renovated in the 1830s and again in the late 1920s The building survived the fighting at the end of the Second World War largely unscathed. Only the church windows were destroyed. Jerome, the Doctor of the Church, is depicted with his lion. There is a popular belief that Jerome had tamed the lion in the wilderness by healing its paw.

Nysa was probably founded in the 10th century. The name of the Nysa river, from which the town takes its name, was mentioned in 991 when it was part of the Duchy of Poland under Mieszko I. A Polish stronghold was built in Nysa in the 11th and 12th centuries due to the proximity of the border with the Czech Duchy. From the 14th century on it was administered by the Bishopric of Wrocław. Nysa was granted town rights around 1223 and attracted Flemish and German settlers. In 1241 it was ravaged by the Mongols during the first Mongol invasion. In 1245, it was granted staple right and two yearly fairs were established. Nysa became an important trade and craft center of Poland before it passed under the suzerainty of the Bohemian Crown in 1351, under which it remained until 1742. The town's fortifications from 1350 served to defend against the Hussites in 1424. During the Thirty Years' War, it was besieged three times. It was looted by the Saxons and Swedes. During the First Silesian War in 1741, it was captured by Prussians. In 1758 it was unsuccessfully besieged by the Austrians and stayed Prussian. Towards the end of WWII, about 80% of the city center was destroyed. Most affected were the houses on the Rynek (Market Place) and the houses along the main streets. - In 1346 monks built a monastery and hospital complex in the Old Town, next to the Church of Maria in Rosis (Our Lady of the Rosary). After the fire resulting from fights with the Hussites, they were moved and the church was finally demolished in 1622. The collegiate church of St. Peter and Paul was built between 1720 and 1727 by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in the Baroque style on the former city wall. After secularization in 1810, the church became a soap factory for a time. In the 19th century there was a hospital in the monastery, in the years 1949–1997 it was the seat of the theological seminary, now it houses the Diocesan Gymnasium The church was renovated in the 1830s and again in the late 1920s The building survived the fighting at the end of the Second World War largely unscathed. Only the church windows were destroyed. Death awaits the two pilgrims who are on their way to Santiago (with Coquille Saint-Jacques). Above them hovers the reaper´s scythe around which a snake coils.

Nysa was probably founded in the 10th century. The name of the Nysa river, from which the town takes its name, was mentioned in 991 when it was part of the Duchy of Poland under Mieszko I. A Polish stronghold was built in Nysa in the 11th and 12th centuries due to the proximity of the border with the Czech Duchy. From the 14th century on it was administered by the Bishopric of Wrocław. Nysa was granted town rights around 1223 and attracted Flemish and German settlers. In 1241 it was ravaged by the Mongols during the first Mongol invasion. In 1245, it was granted staple right and two yearly fairs were established. Nysa became an important trade and craft center of Poland before it passed under the suzerainty of the Bohemian Crown in 1351, under which it remained until 1742. The town's fortifications from 1350 served to defend against the Hussites in 1424. During the Thirty Years' War, it was besieged three times. It was looted by the Saxons and Swedes. During the First Silesian War in 1741, it was captured by Prussians. In 1758 it was unsuccessfully besieged by the Austrians and stayed Prussian. Towards the end of WWII, about 80% of the city center was destroyed. Most affected were the houses on the Rynek (Market Place) and the houses along the main streets. - In 1346 monks built a monastery and hospital complex in the Old Town, next to the Church of Maria in Rosis (Our Lady of the Rosary). After the fire resulting from fights with the Hussites, they were moved and the church was finally demolished in 1622. The collegiate church of St. Peter and Paul was built between 1720 and 1727 by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in the Baroque style on the former city wall. After secularization in 1810, the church became a soap factory for a time. In the 19th century there was a hospital in the monastery, in the years 1949–1997 it was the seat of the theological seminary, now it houses the Diocesan Gymnasium The church was renovated in the 1830s and again in the late 1920s The building survived the fighting at the end of the Second World War largely unscathed. Only the church windows were destroyed.

Nysa was probably founded in the 10th century. The name of the Nysa river, from which the town takes its name, was mentioned in 991 when it was part of the Duchy of Poland under Mieszko I. A Polish stronghold was built in Nysa in the 11th and 12th centuries due to the proximity of the border with the Czech Duchy. From the 14th century on it was administered by the Bishopric of Wrocław. Nysa was granted town rights around 1223 and attracted Flemish and German settlers. In 1241 it was ravaged by the Mongols during the first Mongol invasion. In 1245, it was granted staple right and two yearly fairs were established. Nysa became an important trade and craft center of Poland before it passed under the suzerainty of the Bohemian Crown in 1351, under which it remained until 1742. The town's fortifications from 1350 served to defend against the Hussites in 1424. During the Thirty Years' War, it was besieged three times. It was looted by the Saxons and Swedes. During the First Silesian War in 1741, it was captured by Prussians. In 1758 it was unsuccessfully besieged by the Austrians and stayed Prussian. Towards the end of WWII, about 80% of the city center was destroyed. Most affected were the houses on the Rynek (Market Place) and the houses along the main streets. - In 1346 monks built a monastery and hospital complex in the Old Town, next to the Church of Maria in Rosis (Our Lady of the Rosary). After the fire resulting from fights with the Hussites, they were moved and the church was finally demolished in 1622. The collegiate church of St. Peter and Paul was built between 1720 and 1727 by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in the Baroque style on the former city wall. After secularization in 1810, the church became a soap factory for a time. In the 19th century there was a hospital in the monastery, in the years 1949–1997 it was the seat of the theological seminary, now it houses the Diocesan Gymnasium The church was renovated in the 1830s and again in the late 1920s The building survived the fighting at the end of the Second World War largely unscathed. Only the church windows were destroyed. The church building is characterized by its double tower facade.

Nysa was probably founded in the 10th century. The name of the Nysa river, from which the town takes its name, was mentioned in 991 when it was part of the Duchy of Poland under Mieszko I. A Polish stronghold was built in Nysa in the 11th and 12th centuries due to the proximity of the border with the Czech Duchy. From the 14th century on it was administered by the Bishopric of Wrocław. Nysa was granted town rights around 1223 and attracted Flemish and German settlers. In 1241 it was ravaged by the Mongols during the first Mongol invasion. In 1245, it was granted staple right and two yearly fairs were established. Nysa became an important trade and craft center of Poland before it passed under the suzerainty of the Bohemian Crown in 1351, under which it remained until 1742. The town's fortifications from 1350 served to defend against the Hussites in 1424. During the Thirty Years' War, it was besieged three times. It was looted by the Saxons and Swedes. During the First Silesian War in 1741, it was captured by Prussians. In 1758 it was unsuccessfully besieged by the Austrians and stayed Prussian. Towards the end of WWII, about 80% of the city center was destroyed. Most affected were the houses on the Rynek (Market Place) and the houses along the main streets. - In 1346 monks built a monastery and hospital complex in the Old Town, next to the Church of Maria in Rosis (Our Lady of the Rosary). After the fire resulting from fights with the Hussites, they were moved and the church was finally demolished in 1622. The collegiate church of St. Peter and Paul was built between 1720 and 1727 by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in the Baroque style on the former city wall. After secularization in 1810, the church became a soap factory for a time. In the 19th century there was a hospital in the monastery, in the years 1949–1997 it was the seat of the theological seminary, now it houses the Diocesan Gymnasium The church was renovated in the 1830s and again in the late 1920s The building survived the fighting at the end of the Second World War largely unscathed. Only the church windows were destroyed. The church building is characterized by its double tower facade, here seen from the Rynek (Market).

The Teutonic Knights probably took over a wooden castle of the Baltic Prussians end of the 13th century. Already at the beginning of the 14th century, the place had developed into an urban settlement. In 1327 Mohrungen was granted the town charter. The knights of the order were followed by peasant treks, one of which, coming from the southern Harz region in Central Germany, settled near the castle of the order. After the 1410 Battle of Grunwald (Battle of Tanneberg) the town was occupied by the forces of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland. In 1440 Mohrungen joined the Prussian Confederation, which opposed the Teutonic Order. The town fought against the Order in the war from 1454 to 1466. Reconquered the town became his seat as deputy Grand Master. After the Torun peace treaty in 1466, the town became a part of Poland as a fief held by the Teutonic Knights. During the Polish–Teutonic War Morąg was again captured by Poland in 1520 and burned down. Upon the Protestant Reformation and the secularisation of the Order's State in 1525 it became part of Ducal Prussia, remaining a Polish fief until 1657. The first Early Gothic parish church was built 1305-1312. It was much smaller than the present church and covered only the nave area of the present one. Within the 14th century the building was extended by choir , sacristy and tower. In 1414 the church was the only building in the town to survive the Morąg fire. From 1525 the church served the Lutherans. The church was severely damaged end of WWII. It got restored and given to the Catholic community.

The Teutonic Knights probably took over a wooden castle of the Baltic Prussians end of the 13th century. Already at the beginning of the 14th century, the place had developed into an urban settlement. In 1327 Mohrungen was granted the town charter. The knights of the order were followed by peasant treks, one of which, coming from the southern Harz region in Central Germany, settled near the castle of the order. After the 1410 Battle of Grunwald (Battle of Tanneberg) the town was occupied by the forces of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland. In 1440 Mohrungen joined the Prussian Confederation, which opposed the Teutonic Order. The town fought against the Order in the war from 1454 to 1466. Reconquered the town became his seat as deputy Grand Master. After the Torun peace treaty in 1466, the town became a part of Poland as a fief held by the Teutonic Knights. During the Polish–Teutonic War Morąg was again captured by Poland in 1520 and burned down. Upon the Protestant Reformation and the secularisation of the Order's State in 1525 it became part of Ducal Prussia, remaining a Polish fief until 1657. The first Early Gothic parish church was built 1305-1312. It was much smaller than the present church and covered only the nave area of the present one. Within the 14th century the building was extended by choir , sacristy and tower. In 1414 the church was the only building in the town to survive the Morąg fire. From 1525 the church served the Lutherans. The church was severely damaged end of WWII. It got restored and given to the Catholic community.

The Teutonic Knights probably took over a wooden castle of the Baltic Prussians end of the 13th century. Already at the beginning of the 14th century, the place had developed into an urban settlement. In 1327 Mohrungen was granted the town charter. The knights of the order were followed by peasant treks, one of which, coming from the southern Harz region in Central Germany, settled near the castle of the order. After the 1410 Battle of Grunwald (Battle of Tanneberg) the town was occupied by the forces of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland. In 1440 Mohrungen joined the Prussian Confederation, which opposed the Teutonic Order. The town fought against the Order in the war from 1454 to 1466. Reconquered the town became his seat as deputy Grand Master. After the Torun peace treaty in 1466, the town became a part of Poland as a fief held by the Teutonic Knights. During the Polish–Teutonic War Morąg was again captured by Poland in 1520 and burned down. Upon the Protestant Reformation and the secularisation of the Order's State in 1525 it became part of Ducal Prussia, remaining a Polish fief until 1657. The first Early Gothic parish church was built 1305-1312. It was much smaller than the present church and covered only the nave area of the present one. Within the 14th century the building was extended by choir , sacristy and tower. In 1414 the church was the only building in the town to survive the Morąg fire. From 1525 the church served the Lutherans. The church was severely damaged end of WWII. It got restored and given to the Catholic community.

The Teutonic Knights probably took over a wooden castle of the Baltic Prussians end of the 13th century. Already at the beginning of the 14th century, the place had developed into an urban settlement. In 1327 Mohrungen was granted the town charter. The knights of the order were followed by peasant treks, one of which, coming from the southern Harz region in Central Germany, settled near the castle of the order. After the 1410 Battle of Grunwald (Battle of Tanneberg) the town was occupied by the forces of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland. In 1440 Mohrungen joined the Prussian Confederation, which opposed the Teutonic Order. The town fought against the Order in the war from 1454 to 1466. Reconquered the town became his seat as deputy Grand Master. After the Torun peace treaty in 1466, the town became a part of Poland as a fief held by the Teutonic Knights. During the Polish–Teutonic War Morąg was again captured by Poland in 1520 and burned down. Upon the Protestant Reformation and the secularisation of the Order's State in 1525 it became part of Ducal Prussia, remaining a Polish fief until 1657. The first Early Gothic parish church was built 1305-1312. It was much smaller than the present church and covered only the nave area of the present one. Within the 14th century the building was extended by choir , sacristy and tower. In 1414 the church was the only building in the town to survive the Morąg fire. From 1525 the church served the Lutherans. The church was severely damaged end of WWII. It got restored and given to the Catholic community.

Wormbach is just like neighbouring Berghausen part of Schmallenberg. The romanesque parish church of Wormbach dates back to the 13th century. The parish of Wormbach is one of the oldest in the Sauerland area. A legend tells, that St. Bonifatius himself (or -maybe- one of his followers) built the first chapel in Wormbach, what would mean - around 750. Excavations, undertaken in 1908, found the foundations of a small 8th century-basilica. This was a hub of early christianisation. All of the those places that were important during the Christianisation in die area (eg Balve, Hellefeld, Stockum, Huesten) probably had some ritual importance already during pagan times. But it is Wormbach, where strange, esoteric and sometimes weird theories found their center. This interest was mainly triggered, when in the mid 1950 the signs of the zodiac where found under the layers of plaster. The signs have been painted in the 13th century. To be buried in Wormbach had a strong attraction already in very early times. Still in medieval times, dead bodies have been carried over long distances, to be buried right here in Wormbach. Old maps show a net of little paths ("Totenwege"), that all run to - Wormbach.

Wormbach is just like neighbouring Berghausen part of Schmallenberg. The Romanesque parish church of Wormbach dates back to the 13th century. The parish of Wormbach is one of the oldest in the Sauerland area. A legend tells, that St. Bonifatius himself (or -maybe- one of his followers) built the first chapel in Wormbach, what would mean - around 750. Excavations, undertaken in 1908, found the foundations of a small 8th century-basilica. This was a hub of early Christianisation. All of those places that were important during the Christianisation in die area (eg Balve, Hellefeld, Stockum, Huesten) probably had some ritual importance already during pagan times. But it is Wormbach, where strange, esoteric and sometimes weird theories found their centre. To be buried in Wormbach had a strong attraction already in very early times. Still in medieval times, dead bodies have been carried over long distances, to be buried right here in Wormbach. Old maps show a net of little paths ("Totenwege"), that all run to - Wormbach.

The romanesque parish church of Wormbach, a little village near Schmallenberg, dates back to the 13th century. The parish of Wormbach is one of the oldest in Sauerland. A legend tells, that St. Bonifatius himself (or one of his followers) built the first chapel in Wormbach, what would mean - around 750. This was a hub of early christianisation. But there were a couple of those places (eg Balve, Hellefeld, Stockum, Huesten), and all of them had probably some ritual importance already during pagan times. But it is Wormbach, where strange, esoteric and sometimes weird theories found their center. To be buried in Wormbach had a strong attraction already in pre-christian times. Still in medieval times, dead bodies have been carried over long distances, to be buried right here in Wormbach. Old maps show a net of little paths ("Totenwege"), that all run to - Wormbach. The signs of the zodiac under the vaults of a remote little church - in the sticks. They were discovered during the restauration period (1955-1957) under a coat of paint. Facing west, to the organ, it is clear, that all three bays have the zodiacs. Heinz Kaminski, a chemical engineer, radio-amateur, astronom and the very first, who recorded the beeping tones of the Russian Sputnik in 1957, saw here "the oldest signs of the zodiacs north of the Alpes" - and he saw these signs as pagan/pre-christian symbols. Kaminski connected the order, in which they are to be seen here, with the solstice. Contemplating about a pagan/celtic/germanic center of astronomy, he found out, that Wormbach and Stonehenge share the same latitude (51th). So - he saw Wormbach as a stone age observatory. From that idea, he developed the "Wormbach System", that I tried to explain (a bit) on the predecessing photo. In case you have the impression, Kaminski is already "left of the field", then let me introduce you to Herbert Knorr and Wolfgang Thiele. Knowing Kaminski´s system of a grid that runs all over central Europe, they have focussed on the region - and found not less than "The First Wonder of the World between the Rivers Weser, Lippe Ruhr and Rhine". In 2003 they published "Der Himmel ist unter uns" (= "The Sky is below us"), as they had found the largest zodiac signs ever. Here! Actually the authors listed about 200 cult- and/or ritual places in the area, connected them by lines - and found that they had found the complete northern sky. Wormbach is in the center of the Virgo constellation (= delta vir), connecting to Attendorn (my vir) 30kms east, Berghausen (epsilon vir) 5kms northwest, Schmallenberg (gamma vir)... The constallation stretches about 40kms east/west. The Great Bear constellation stretches over Sauerland from Wenholthausen in the west, via Meschede to Thuelen and Bontkirchen in the east, what sums up to nearly 50kms.

A Roman castra ("Rigomagus") existed here already in the 1., a Christian community probably within the 5th century. When the first church, dedicated to "Peter and Paul" was erected, the foundations of the Roman wall were used. It is proven that a church existed here in 1003. This church got destroyed, when Holy Roman Emperor Philip of Swabia burnt down Remagen in 1189, just 10 years, before he got murdered in Bamberg, where I had been some time ago. The "new" church got consecrated in 1246, got damaged during feuds and wars, but rebuilt and renovated upto the Industrial Revolution, when the growing population of Remagen just outgrew the structure. Between 1900 and 1904 a large neo-Romanesqe church was built, incorparating the nave of the old structure. The transept of this neo-Romanesque church is seen on the background. For me, the most interesting architectural detail in Remagen is the portal, under the small roof, to the right. Not much is known about the unique "Pfarrhoftor", that was created during the 12th century. It was placed here, next to St. Peter and Paul in 1902.

A Roman castra ("Rigomagus") existed here already in the 1., a Christian community probably within the 5th century. When the first church, dedicated to "Peter and Paul" was erected, the foundations of the Roman wall were used. It is proven that a church existed here in 1003. This church got destroyed, when Holy Roman Emperor Philip of Swabia burnt down Remagen in 1189, just 10 years, before he got murdered in Bamberg, where I had been some time ago. The "new" church got consecrated in 1246, got damaged during feuds and wars, but rebuilt and renovated upto the Industrial Revolution, when the growing population of Remagen just outgrew the structure. Between 1900 and 1904 a large neo-Romanesqe church was built, incorparating the nave of the old structure. The transept of this neo-Romanesque church is seen on the background. For me, the most interesting architectural detail in Remagen is the portal, under the small roof, to the right. Not much is known about the unique "Pfarrhoftor", that was created during the 12th century. It was placed here, next to St. Peter and Paul in 1902.