Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: nativity
Sauveterre - Saint Andre
22 Jun 2024 |
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The first mention of the name Sauveterre dates back to around 1120. The town was built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Gave d'Oloron. Sauveterre's mission was to defend the southern and western borders of Béarn. The town formed a village organized around the castle.
Between the second half of the 12th and the first half of the 13th century, Saint-André was built. This church was built outside the first town. A second settlement called "Saint-André" therefore arose around this church.
The town was an essential stopover for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela, as the town is located on the Via Lemovizenis (Vézelay route).
The nativity scene
Halberstadt - St. Martini
23 Jun 2023 |
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Through Charlemagne, the mission base here became a bishop's see in 804. The Bishop was granted market, minting and customs rights by King Otto III in 989. He held the secular power in the Harzgau and thus over the inhabitants of Halberstadt. The first cathedral was consecrated in 992.
By 1068, there was already an emerging merchant class, under which the city began to emancipate itself from control by the bishop's see around about 1105. In 1146, possibly the first Jews arrived in Halberstadt coming from Halle. In 1189 Jews persecuted during the Third Crusade reached the city. In 1261, the first episcopal letter of protection is documented for them.
Henry the Lion destroyed the city, cathedral and cathedral castle in 1179 in the course of a feud by setting a major fire. In 1199 the construction of the city wall is mentioned for the first time, which lasted until 1236. Between 1236 and 1239, the construction of the new cathedral began. In 1241, a town hall for the city is mentioned for the first time; moreover, the city already had its own seal at this time. In 1343 the Jews were attacked by the Counts of Mansfeld and Regenstein and fled, a decade later the new so-called "Judendorf" became the first closed Jewish settlement in the city.
St. Martini was probably founded in the 10th century. It was first mentioned in 1186. The building is a five-bay Gothic hall church. The octagonal spires of different heights are connected by a covered bridge. The choir is associated with indulgences in the years 1267, 1274 and 1285. The west building was probably started before 1311, the date when the church was placed under the Johannisstift.
The city of Halberstadt was 82 percent destroyed by bombing at the end of WWII. The degree of destruction of the Martini Church was also estimated at 80%.
From 1945 to 1954 St. Martini was restored. The main focus was on the restoration of the towers and the roof, which characterize the cityscape.
The bronze baptismal font is a work from the end of the 13th century. It is carried by four men, symbolizing the rivers of paradise. There are nine flat reliefs depicting the childhood and youth of Christ. The coloring was renewed in the 19th century.
The Nativity
Ravenna - Museo arcivescovile
13 Sep 2022 |
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In Roman times Ravenna was a lagoon city surrounded by water, with at times up to 50.000 inhabitants. The second largest naval base of the Roman Empire was located here.
In the late 5th century, Roman authority in the West dissolved, and Romulus Augustulus was deposed by the general Odoacer in 476. Odoacer ruled as king of Italy for 13 years, but in 489 the eastern emperor Zeno sent the Ostrogoth king Theoderic to reconquer Italy. After losing the Battle of Verona, Odoacer retreated to Ravenna, where he withstood a three-year siege. In 493, Theoderic finally took Ravenna and supposedly killed Odoacer with his own hands. Ravenna became the capital of the Ostrogothic kingdom in Italy.
Theodoric died in 526 and various Ostrogothic military leaders took the Kingdom of Italy, but none was really successful. Meanwhile, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I opposed both Ostrogoth rule. In 535 his general Belisarius invaded Italy and in 540 conquered Ravenna. After the conquest of Italy was completed in 554, Ravenna became the seat of the Byzantine government in Italy. Under Byzantine rule, the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ravenna held second place in Italy after the pope and played an important role during this period.
In 751 Lombard king, Aistulf conquered Ravenna, thus ending Byzantine rule in northern Italy. King Pepin of the Franks attacked the Lombards and Ravenna gradually came under the direct authority of the Popes. Pope Adrian I authorized Charlemagne to take away anything from Ravenna that he liked, and Roman columns, mosaics, statues, and other portable items were taken north to enrich his capital of Aachen.
In 1198 Ravenna led a league of Romagna cities against the Emperor. After the war of 1218, the Traversari family was able to impose its rule in the city, but after a short period, Ravenna was returned to the Papal States in 1248 and again to the Traversari until 1275. One of the most illustrious residents of Ravenna at this time was the exiled Florentine poet Dante. In 1441 the city was annexed to the Venetian territories.
The Archbishop's Museum is located just behind the Duomo. It dates back to the first half of the 18th century. During the reconstruction or rebuilding of Ravenna Cathedral the inscriptions, mosaic fragments and stone monuments (from the 6th century onwards) found there were placed in a lapidarium. At the beginning of the 20th century the museum was rebuilt and objects from churches of the diocese were added.
The Throne of Maximianus is a cathedra made for Archbishop Maximianus of Ravenna. It can be dated to the years 545-553 and was probably carved in Constantinople. It was probably commissioned by Justinian as a gift for Maximianus because he became the new archbishop. It is quite possible that Maximianus acted as regent for the emperor in the remaining Byzantine territory in Italy, since Ravenna had been the western capital of the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire.
The throne is made of carved ivory panels with frames of twisted vines and grapevines on a wooden frame. The ivory carvings are in relief, and important biblical figures are depicted on the panels. Scenes from the life of Christ are depicted on the back of the throne, and scenes from the story of Joseph from the Book of Genesis can be seen on the sides.
Of the former 39 panels, only 27 are still preserved
On the backrest are depicted scenes from Bethlehem.
Find more photos from Ravenna in this album
www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1330038
Magdeburg - Dom (PiP)
03 Jul 2022 |
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Founded by Charlemagne in 805 as Magadoburg, the town was fortified in 919 by King Henry the Fowler against the Magyars and Slavs. In 929 King Otto I granted the city to his English-born wife Edith as dower. At her death, Queen Edith was buried in the crypt of the Benedictine abbey of Saint Maurice, later rebuilt as the cathedral. In 937, Magdeburg was the seat of a royal assembly. Otto I was buried as well in the cathedral.
In 1035 Magdeburg received a patent giving the city the right to hold trade exhibitions and conventions. This was the basis of town law to become known as the Magdeburg rights. These laws were adopted and modified throughout Central and Eastern Europe.
In the 13th century, Magdeburg became a member of the Hanseatic League. With more than 20,000 inhabitants Magdeburg was one of the largest cities in the Holy Roman Empire.
During the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) Magdeburg was raided and probably 20.000 inhabitants lost their lives. A small group of 4000 people survived the "Sack of Magdeburg" by seeking refuge in the cathedral. Begging on his knees before the conqueror the head priest saved them.
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The construction of the "Cathedral of Saints Catherine and Maurice" started in 1209. Two years ago, the church that had been in this place since 932, burnt down with most of the town. This church is influenced by the then-new gothic style, developed in France. Otto I the Great and his wife Edith of England have their graves here.
The construction stopped after 1274. In 1325, Archbishop Burchard III. was killed by the people of Magdeburg because of extreme taxes. Folklore says that especially the beer tax increase caused much anger. Afterward, Magdeburg was under a ban, and only after the donation of five atonement altars did the construction of the cathedral continue. In 1360 the construction stopped again for many decades. Only in 1477 did the construction start again. The towers were constructed by master builder Bastian Binder, the only master builder of the cathedral known by name. The construction of the cathedral was completed in 1520.
Although the cathedral was looted several times during its history, many valuable furnishings and art treasures have been preserved, which were moved out and secured during the bombardments of WWII.
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The stalls were probably completed for the consecration of the cathedral in 1363. The work on the cheeks, which depicts stations from the life of Jesus, points to an unnamed Lower Saxon carver who was probably also active a little later on the Bremen cathedral choir stalls.
Here is the birth of Christ. In the left corner is the "First Bath".
Altamura - Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta
09 Nov 2020 |
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The area around the modern Altamura (pop 70.000) was inhabited in early times. There are Bronze Age tumuli and between the 6th and the 3rd century BC a massive line of megalithic walls was erected. This (later Roman) city was inhabited until the 10th century when it was reportedly looted by Saracens. A couple of centuries after Altamura was reportedly looted by the Saracens, it started to be inhabited again as Emperor Frederick II refounded the city (1232) and ordered the construction of the large Altamura Cathedral, which became one of the most venerated sanctuaries in Apulia.
Altamura was ruled by various feudal families, including the Orsini del Balzo and the Farnese (1538–1734), the latter responsible for the construction of numerous palaces and churches. In the past, Altamura also had a large castle, whose construction dated back to the 11th-13th century, which has been completely demolished.
Altamura Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta) was founded by Emperor Frederick II in 1232. In 1248, under pressure from Frederick, Pope Innocent IV declared Altamura exempt from the jurisdiction of the bishop of Bari, making it a "palatine church", that is the equivalent of a palace chapel. After heavy damage caused by an earthquake in 1316, it was renovated by Robert of Anjou.
Major changes were made to the cathedral in 1534, including switching the front and back around! The cathedral's main facade originally faced west but it now faces east.
The (breathtaking) attraction of Altamura Cathedral is its main portal, which has been dated to the 14th and 15th centuries. It is Gothic, but in an unusual local style with Byzantine and strong Romanesque influences. I would even see this as "Romanesque/Gothic". It is remarkable for its wealth of details and a large number of biblical scenes.
Below Magi and shepherds is the Nativity scene with the "First Bath".
Acquarossa - San Carlo di Negrentino
30 Nov 2019 |
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The church "San Carlo di Negrentino", originally dedicated to S. Ambrogio Vecchio, is located isolated facing a cliff that opens onto a vast panorama. A mule track led here from the Gotthard Pass over the Narapass to the Blenio Valley and to Bellinzona led past here near a deep gorge.
The two-aisled church is first mentioned in writing in 1214 but goes back to an earlier time. It was created in two construction phases. The original Romanesque apse hall from the 11th century was probably extended in the 13th century in the south by a similar, but narrower room with a smaller apse. At that time the campanile was built on the north side of the building.
Both aisles of the church are adorned with frescoes. As between the aisles are about 200 years, the styles differ clearly.
Monreale - Duomo di Monreale
19 Sep 2019 |
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Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession.
Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by the Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century.
A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred
In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status +of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful,
The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings.
In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages.
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William II of Sicily built from 1172 here a fort-like complex of buildings, which included a cathedral, an archiepiscopal palace, a royal palace and a Benedictine monastery. In 1183 the monastery became the seat of the archdiocese of Monreale. The town then developed around this complex.
According to a legend, William fell asleep while hunting. The Holy Virgin appeared to him in a dream, suggesting him to build a church here. After removing a tree, a treasure was found, whose coins were used to finance the construction. Well, it is much more likely that Monreale was founded in competition with the bishop of Palermo, who had commissioned the large Cathedral of Palermo.
This would explain the vast dimensions and the splendour of the "Duomo di Monreale" and the adjoining cloister, the only structures of the large complex, that survived the times. The cloister (completed ~ 1200)
measures 47x47 metres. Each side has 26 arches resting on columns.
The carvings of the capitals (and the columns) are very detailed and complex, the themes vary and some capitals are "hard to read".
This is an easy one. The Nativity and the "Annunciation to the shepherds". As well seen are the midwives, bringing food to Mary.
Monreale - Duomo di Monreale
16 Sep 2019 |
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Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession.
Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by the Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century.
A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred
In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status +of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful,
The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings.
In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages.
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William II of Sicily built from 1172 here a fort-like complex of buildings, which included a cathedral, an archiepiscopal palace, a royal palace and a Benedictine monastery. In 1183 the monastery became the seat of the archdiocese of Monreale. The town then developed around this complex.
According to a legend, William fell asleep while hunting. The Holy Virgin appeared to him in a dream, suggesting him to build a church here. After removing a tree, a treasure was found, whose coins were used to finance the construction. Well, it is much more likely that Monreale was founded in competition with the bishop of Palermo, who had commissioned the large Cathedral of Palermo.
This would explain the vast dimensions and the splendour of the "Duomo di Monreale" (= "Cattedrale di Santa Maria Nuova"), that with the cloister, is the only building that survived the times.
The interior is breathtaking, but as the cathedral is about 100 m long, there are distances here, not like inside the "Capella Palatina", where all the mosaics are so "near" - plus the visitors can sit down here - and gaze. It is overwhelming. Here are more than 6000m² of byzantine mosaics. The sides of the nave show many very strong parallels to the Cappella Palatina. Here and there probably the same workshop. Probably a large, maybe even a generation-spanning studio of Byzantine artists.
Mary in childbed
Hoinkhausen - St. Pankratius
27 Jun 2018 |
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St. Pankratius, the parish church of the village Hoinkhausen, is located on an elevated place in the very centre of the village. The large church was erected mid 13th century from regional, green sandstone, better known as "Anröchter Sandstein". The original tower was demolished in 1860 and a new "Neo-Romanesque" one was built.
The side portal has an interesting tympanum.
The crucifixion in the centre, flanked by John and Mary. Just like in Plettenberg (60kms southwest), Christ´s arms are very long and are spread to embrace the onlookers. To the right is the nativity scene. The crib, the ox, the ass, Mary and Joseph (note the Jewish hat). This scene stands for the New Testament, while to the right the Old Testament is represented by long-haired Samson tears the lion apart.
Balve - St. Blasius
19 Feb 2012 |
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The name of the first known pastor of the parish was "Elbertus de Balleve" in 1202. The church may have existed at that time, at least the main structure. The construction of the church probably began already end of the 10th / early 11th century, but most of the comparably large romanesque hall-church, with a nave, two aisles and a remarkable apse, was done later. The oldest church of this type (north of the Alps!) is the Bartholomew Chapel in Paderborn (100kms northeast), a masterpiece, created by "graecos operarios" (greek workers). So when this church in Balve got consecrated, this was still a sensationel new layout.
The romanesque church (still) has four portals. It may be, that the greenish sandstone used, came from Anroechte (50kms northeast), a town between Soest and Paderborn. Quarries in Annroechte still exist today.
Seen here in the middle are Mary and St. John under the Cross. Left a nativity scene. Mary on the ground, ox and ass above and Joseph wearing a "Jew´s hat", sitting to the right. This scene has parallels to a carving in Ense/Bremen (25kms north). The right part is very weathered. My first impression proved to be wrong, after I found a copy of "Bau- und Kunstdenkmale von Westfalen", volume 18 ("Kreis Arnsberg"). This book, published in 1906, seems to have the oldest photographs taken here in 1890. More than a hundred years ago, it was obvious, that an angel (note the wings / right) is approaching a person: the Annunciation.
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The mountainous "Sauerland", part of the Duchy of Westphalia is known for witch-hunts in the 16th/17th century. Under the terror-regime of barbarous prosecutor Kaspar Reinhard 280 people were burned at the stakes in and around Balve between 1628 and 1630. Some villagers even tried to assassinate him, but he narrowly escaped. The failed assassinators were executed by dismemberment. The believe in witchcraft stayed stable in the Duchy for long time. In 1695 a 12 year old girl was executed in Olpe (50kms south), the last execution took place in Winterberg (60kms east) in 1728.
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Green stones from Anroechte:
www.anroechter-stein.de/
Gurk - Dom
07 Jul 2017 |
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In 1043 Hemma of Gurk (canonized in 1938) founded the Benedictine double monastery of Gurk Abbey, where she withdrew during the last years of her life.
After Saint Hemma´s death, the abbey was dissolved by the Archbishop of Salzburg, who instead set up the Diocese of Gurk-Klagenfurt in 1072.
The "Gurk Cathedral" is a large Romanesque basilica, built 1140 - 1220. The crypt got consecrated already in 1174 and since then hosts the grave of Saint Hemma of Gurk, still a place of pilgrimage.
The walls of the narthex, that protect the western portal, are covered with frescoes, depicting scenes from the bible.
Nonantola - Abbazia di Nonantola
12 Nov 2016 |
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Nonantola Abbey was founded in 752 by Saint Anselm, brother-in-law of the Lombard king Aistulf. Pope Stephen II presented relics of Saint Sylvester to the abbey, so it was named Saint Silvestro de Nonantula.
The abbey was already wealthy from the very beginning, in 780 Charlemagne endowed the abbey with many estates in Tuscany, where monks settled in Groppina (see "Pieve di San Pietro a Gropina"). In 883 the abbey was the place of a conference between Charlemagne´s great-grandson Charles III (aka "Charles the Fat") and Pope Marinus I.
The prosperious life ended, when in 900 Hungarian troops looted and completely destroyed the abbey. Reconstruction began soon after and about a century later the "imperial monastery" was one of the most powerful abbey in Europe. Abbot Godeschalc had a new basilica built in 1058. At the beginning of the Investiture Conflict it sided with the emperor, but Matilda of Tuscany stepped in and forced the abbey to change sides. It declared itself openly for the papal party in 1111.
The earthquake in 1117 damaged the abbey severely. The reconstruction started in 1121, so most of what is seen today is from the 12h century.
The doorposts of the portal are covered with carvings. Some are attributed to the School of Wiligelmo. Wiligelmo and his workshop worked at that time as well in Modena, only 10kms southwest.
The nativity scnene. While Mary is in childbed (PRESEPIUM), resting, young Jesus, below her, gets his first bath (XPC LAVATUR).
Pisa - Baptistry
20 Jun 2015 |
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The construction of the "Battistero di San Giovanni" started in 1152 to replace an older baptistry. Since its completion in 1363 the transition from (Pisan) Romanesque to (Pisan) Gothic style was visible.
The baptistry was designed by Diotisalvi, who signed and dated the building ("1153"), similar to the "Chiesa del Santo Sepolcro" (previous uploads), he had designed some decades before.
The baptistry is about 54 m high, with a circumference of 107 m.
The pulpit of the baptistry is a masterpiece created in 1255-60 by Nicola Pisano, father of Giovanni Pisano. The pulpit's reliefs depict scenes from the life of Christ. Pisono´s works are strongly influenced by classical art and many see Pisano as a precursor of Italian Renaissance sculpture.
Here is the Nativity scene of the pulpit. There is the "Annunciation", the "Annunciation to the shepherds", Jesus in the manger, the "First Bath" - and in the center majestically recumbent Virgin Mary - just like an Etruscan tomb sculpture.
Tours - Cathédrale Saint-Gatien
28 Apr 2015 |
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The first church, dedicated to Saint Maurice, was built here on order of Lidoire, bishop of Tours from 337 to 371 (preceding Saint Martin). This church burnt down 561, it was restored by Gregory of Tours in 590. This church then got replaced by a Romanesque structure, that again burnt in 1166 during the conflict between Louis VII of France and Henry II of England, who as well was Count of Anjou.
The erection of the present cathedral started around 1170
The chancel was built 1236 to 1279, but the nave took longer to build. It was completed end of the 14th century, before the Gothic facade was finished about 100 years later.
In 1562 Huguenot iconoclasts created great damages here, but they did not destroy the 13th century stained glass windows of the choir.
Paris - Sainte-Chapelle
05 Mar 2015 |
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The Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel") was part of the Palais de la Cité, residence of the French Royals between 10th and 14th century. The chapel was built, to house Louis IX's vast collection of relics, including the Crown of Thorns, the Image of Edessa and the point of the "Holy Lance" - and many more prominent relics.
Saint Louis (aka Louis IX) had purchased the "Passion Relics" from Baldwin II, unfortunate emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, for 135,000 livres. The money was actually paid to the Venetians, to whom the relics had been pawned.
Begun around 1239 and consecrated in 1248, the Sainte-Chapelle is considered among the highest achievements of the Gothic architecture.
A fire damaged the chapel 1630, that got restored after that. The chapel suffered its most grievous destruction during the French Revolution, when the steeple got removed and many of the precious reliquaries were melted down.
Reconstruction and restoration was done in the 1840s/1850s.
Here are more than 600m² of stained glass, about 1/3 was destroyed and had to be replaced within the 19th century. The light is breathtaking! The sights are neck breaking. This is a fantastic place. This was a sensation. Absolutely impressing, when it was completed - and it still is.
Here is a small detail.
Luke 2:15-20
"When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us." They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told."
sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/
Paris - Sainte-Chapelle
05 Mar 2015 |
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The Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel") was part of the Palais de la Cité, residence of the French Royals between 10th and 14th century. The chapel was built, to house Louis IX's vast collection of relics, including the Crown of Thorns, the Image of Edessa and the point of the "Holy Lance" - and many more prominent relics.
Saint Louis (aka Louis IX) had purchased the "Passion Relics" from Baldwin II, unfortunate emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, for 135,000 livres. The money was actually paid to the Venetians, to whom the relics had been pawned.
Begun around 1239 and consecrated in 1248, the Sainte-Chapelle is considered among the highest achievements of the Gothic architecture.
A fire damaged the chapel 1630, that got restored after that. The chapel suffered its most grievous destruction during the French Revolution, when the steeple got removed and many of the precious reliquaries were melted down.
Reconstruction and restoration was done in the 1840s/1850s.
Here are more than 600m² of stained glass, about 1/3 was destroyed and had to be replaced within the 19th century. The light is breathtaking! The sights are neck breaking. This is a fantastic place. This was a sensation. Absolutely impressing, when it was completed - and it still is.
Here is a small detail.
The Nativity - and the Annunciation to the shepherds..
sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/
Montmorillon Saint-Larent-and-Saint-Vincent
08 May 2014 |
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This church belonged to a large "Maison Dieu" ensemble, that was founded as a hospital in the 11th century by Robert II of France (aka "Robert the Pious"), the son of Hugo Capet. This hospital, run by monks, provided food and shelter for the pilgrims and the sick. Though the hospital, that as well was a convent, got severely damaged over the centuries, it always got rebuilt. Today the buildings are renovated and house the local retirement home.
This 12th century frieze is placed very high on Saint-Larent-and-Saint-Vincent´s tower, but the position did not save it. Some iconoclastic vandals must have taken lots of effort to climb up and vandalize the frieze. This may have happened during the Wars of Religion or just after the French Revolution.
Seen is the Nativity from the Annunciation to the flight to Egypt.
Here is a detailled frame. The "Adoration of the Magi", again (see previous upload) Jesus is lost, but the cross-nimbus is still in place.
Montmorillon Saint-Larent-and-Saint-Vincent
08 May 2014 |
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This church belonged to a large "Maison Dieu" ensemble, that was founded as a hospital in the 11th century by Robert II of France (aka "Robert the Pious"), the son of Hugo Capet. This hospital, run by monks, provided food and shelter for the pilgrims and the sick. Though the hospital, that as well was a convent, got severely damaged over the centuries, it always got rebuilt. Today the buildings are renovated and house the local retirement home.
This 12th century frieze is placed very high on Saint-Larent-and-Saint-Vincent´s tower, but the position did not save it. Some iconoclastic vandals must have taken lots of effort to climb up and vandalize the frieze. This may have happened during the Wars of Religion or just after the French Revolution.
Seen is the Nativity from the Annunciation to the flight to Egypt.
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