Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Bouches-du-Rhone

The former abbey church of Saint-Trophime, erected 1100-1150. The church is dedicated to St. Trophimus, the first bishop of Arles (3rd century). This church was the centre of a diocese up to the French Revolution. End of July 1178 Frederick I Barbarossa, was crowned here "King of Burgundy". His wife Beatrix was crowned a month later in the Cathedral St. Maurice - in Vienne. I have uploaded already many photos from here over the years already, so I just add a few. Many works of art that are now parts of the exhibition are not originally from this church. - The Entombment ("Mise au tombeau"), sculpted in the 16th century came from the from the church of the Dominicans in Arles. Two angels frame the group. In the centre the corpse of Christ stretched out on a shroud is surrounded by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus ; behind them the Virgin Mary, Marie Salomé and Marie wife of Cléophas, on the right Saint Mary Magdalene carries a perfume vase and on the left Saint John holds the crown of thorns.

The former abbey church of Saint-Trophime, erected 1100-1150. The church is dedicated to St. Trophimus, the first bishop of Arles (3rd century). This church was the centre of a diocese up to the French Revolution. End of July 1178 Frederick I Barbarossa, was crowned here "King of Burgundy". His wife Beatrix was crowned a month later in the Cathedral St. Maurice - in Vienne. I have uploaded already many photos from here over the years already, so I just add a few. Many works of art that are now parts of the exhibition are not originally from this church. - Many works of art that are now parts of the exhibition are not originally from this church. - The sides of the third sarcophagus are poorly visible. Here are the magi in Bethlehem. The magi wear Phrygian caps like all ancient representations (see Ravenna).

The former abbey church of Saint-Trophime, erected 1100-1150. The church is dedicated to St. Trophimus, the first bishop of Arles (3rd century). This church was the centre of a diocese up to the French Revolution. End of July 1178 Frederick I Barbarossa, was crowned here "King of Burgundy". His wife Beatrix was crowned a month later in the Cathedral St. Maurice - in Vienne. I have uploaded already many photos from here over the years already, so I just add a few. Many works of art that are now parts of the exhibition are not originally from this church. - This sarcophagus, also made of Carrara marble, is dated to the 4th century. It represents the crossing of the Red Sea by the Hebrews.

The former abbey church of Saint-Trophime, erected 1100-1150. The church is dedicated to St. Trophimus, the first bishop of Arles (3rd century). This church was the centre of a diocese up to the French Revolution. End of July 1178 Frederick I Barbarossa, was crowned here "King of Burgundy". His wife Beatrix was crowned a month later in the Cathedral St. Maurice - in Vienne. I have uploaded already many photos from here over the years already, so I just add a few. - Many works of art that are now parts of the exhibition are not originally from this church. In the "Chapelle du Saint-Sépulcre" is the early Christian "Sacrophagus of Geminius", which was brought to the church in 1804. It is made of Carrara marble. In the center is depicted the bearded Christ with a cross over his head, on the right Saint Peter and on the left Saint Paul.

The fascinating portal of the former abbey church of Saint-Trophime, erected 1100-1150. The church is dedicated to St. Trophimus, the first bishop of Arles (3rd century). Here are some of the finest examples of romanesque carvings existing in southern France. This church was the centre of a diocese up to the french revolution. End of July 1178 Frederick I Barbarossa, was crowned here "King of Burgundy". His wife Beatrix was crowned a month later in the Cathedral St. Maurice - in Vienne. This was the point, where I started the Via Tolosana in 2010. I have uploaded already many photos from here over the years already, so I just add a few.

The "Chapel of the Holy Cross" was the place, where the valuable "True Cross" relic was shown. Only about 300m east of the Abbey, the chapel was as well a center of a graveyard. Still today many carved graves are to be seen. It is built on the layout of a cross with four apses and a narthex. A pretty complex and unusual design - and still the chapel seems very much intact. Unfortunately the gate at the entrance to the ground was locked. So that I could not even could come near to the chapel, not talking about having a look inside the building..

The "Abbaye de Montmajour" was a really important abbey in medieval times. Founded around 1000 on an island like hill surrounded by swamps and marshes just outside of Arles. Already since 1030 pilgrims walked to Montmajour to see a part of the "True Cross" and so obtaining the "Pardon de Montmajour". The abbey was secularized already in 1786 (by Louis XVI), after the revolution it was sold to different owners. Today it is a massive ruin, used as a quarry over decades in the 19th century. Many stones were used to build the channels in Arles. Over long periods the abbey was an empty complex of crumbling buildings. So traces of vandalism are widely spread. But maybe the many graffitis are not pure vandalism. There are about 70 different ships carved into the western wall of the cloister. "Fragile" galleys, shown with sails and rudders. This type of ships was used from antique times to the 17th century. They may have carved into the walls, when during the Hundred Years’ War or Religious Wars there were times, when no monks lived here. I found sources dating them back into the 13th century. It is believed, that these graffitis were carved in by sailors here, to ensure a special blessing for the ships. By the way, a graffiti of a more modern (steam!) ship is to be seen on the nearby Alyscamps in Arles: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/4995573939/

The "Abbaye de Montmajour" was a really important abbey in medieval times. Founded around 1000 on an island like hill surrounded by swamps and marshes just outside of Arles. Already since 1030 pilgrims walked to Montmajour to see a part of the "True Cross" and so obtaining the "Pardon de Montmajour". The abbey was secularized already in 1786 (by Louis XVI), after the revolution it was sold to different owners. Today it is a massive ruin, used as a quarry over decades in the 19th century. Many stones were used to build the channels in Arles. Over long periods the abbey was an empty complex of crumbling buildings. So traces of vandalism are widely spread. But maybe the many graffitis are not pure vandalism. There are about 70 different ships carved into the western wall of the cloister. "Fragile" galleys, shown with sails and rudders. This type of ships was used from antique times to the 17th century. They may have carved into the walls, when during the Hundred Years’ War or Religious Wars there were times, when no monks lived here.I found sources dating them back even into the 13th century. It is believed, that these graffitis were carved in by sailors here, to ensure a special blessing for the ships. By the way, a graffiti of a way more modern steam ship is to be seen on the nearby Alyscamps in Arles: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/4995573939/

The "Abbaye de Montmajour" was a really important abbey in medieval times. Founded around 1000 on an island like hill surrounded by swamps and marshes just outside of Arles. Already since 1030 pilgrims walked to Montmajour to see a part of the "True Cross" and so obtaining the "Pardon de Montmajour". The abbey was secularized already in 1786 (by Louis XVI), after the revolution it was sold to different owners. Today it is a massive ruin, used as a quarry over decades in the 19th century. Many stones were used to build the channels in Arles. Over long periods the abbey was an empty complex of crumbling buildings. So traces of vandalism are widely spread. Here a carved capital from a corner of the cloister, showing two dromedaries. The arabian camels have both lost a leg and the heads over the centuries.

The "Abbaye de Montmajour" was a really important abbey during medieval times. Founded around 1000 on an island like hill surrounded by swamps and marshes just outside of Arles. Already since 1030 pilgrims walked to Montmajour to see a part of the "True Cross" and so obtaining the "Pardon de Montmajour". The abbey was secularized already in 1786 (by Louis XVI), after the revolution it was sold to different owners. Today it is a massive ruin, used as a quarry over decades in the 19th century. Many stones were used to build the channels in Arles. Over long periods the abbey was an empty complex of crumbling buildings. So traces of vandalism are widely spread. Here a carved capital from the cloister. A man running very fast (see the legs!) through a jungle-like forest. For me he looks like an athletic runner in a relay-race. In the hand left to the head there is the baton. Yes, that is an "overinterpretation".

The "Abbaye de Montmajour" was a really important abbey in medieval times. Founded around 1000 on an island like hill surrounded by swamps and marshes just outside of Arles. Already since 1030 pilgrims walked to Montmajour to see a part of the "True Cross" and so obtaining the "Pardon de Montmajour". The abbey was secularized already in 1786 (by Louis XVI), after the revolution it was sold to different owners. Today it is a massive ruin, used as a quarry over decades in the 19th century. Many stones were used to build the channels in Arles. Below the church of the abbey lies the very large and high crypt.

The "Abbaye de Montmajour" was a really important abbey in medieval times. Founded around 1000 on an island like hill surrounded by swamps and marshes just outside of Arles. Already since 1030 pilgrims walked to Montmajour to see a part of the "True Cross" and so obtaining the "Pardon de Montmajour". The abbey was secularized already in 1786 (by Louis XVI), after the revolution it was sold to different owners. Today it is a massive ruin, used as a quarry over decades in the 19th century. Many stones were used to build the channels in Arles. Below the church of the abbey lies the very large and high crypt.