Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Rosheim

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul", using the local pinkish sandstone, started around 1150. The gothic-style crossing tower was added around 1300. The basilica-sytle church has the classical layout of a latin cross and is known for the carvings. Though some of these got damaged during the French Revolution, most of them are still in place. The size and the quality of some of them is really breathtaking. Looking to the apse of the choir. On the right the apse of the transept. The stair tower (left) is newer, but the the rectangular addition with the lombard bands, is old. Please note the large carvings next to the central window on the main apse.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul", using the local pinkish sandstone, started around 1150. The gothic-style crossing tower was added around 1300. The basilica-sytle church has the classical layout of a latin cross and is known for the carvings. Though some of these got damaged during the French Revolution, most of them are still in place. Size and the quality of some of them is really breathtaking. Here on the top is an eagle and below man-eating lions. The architecture of this church is sometimes compared with a medieaval reliquary-shrine - and there are parallels indeed, seeing it from this side. When in 1622 a troop of mercenaries led by Peter von Mansfeld burnt down the whole village of Rosheim, this building was the only one, that survived. A legends tell, that it was defended by angels.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul", using the local pinkish sandstone, started around 1150. The gothic-style crossing tower was added around 1300. The basilica-sytle church has the classical layout of a latin cross and is known for the carvings. Though some of these got damaged during the French Revolution, most of them are still in place. Size and the quality of some of them is really breathtaking. Standing on the main road (Rue du Général de Gaulle), just having passed the town gate, looking north. The church is placed on a higher square. Stairs lead up to it. When the reconstruction of this church started in 1860, the houses near the church were demolished. The church then, was hidden behind a row of houses. Please note the large carvings on the end of the red roofs. Two smaller lions are to be seen on the edges of the gable over the transept.

he construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The church is known for the carvings. Though some of these got damaged during the French Revolution, most of them are still in place. Size and the quality of some of them is really breathtaking. Up on the roof, there is a group of man-eating lions. The giant lions look all the same, but the men all slightly differ. It looks, like all men cower in front of the lions and wait, to get bitten in their heads. The sculpture "freezes" exactly the moment, before the very first bite. The moment, before the suffering. These "pairs" of men and lions are placed on the corners of the gables. On top of the gabel stands an eagle. There - on the very top - is no suffering. There is triumph, symbolized by the eagle. - Here the victim has no beard, nor is it naked. It wears a long pleated kind of shirt - and may depict a woman. It is standing on his toes. The lion´s claws are already in the shoulder.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The church is known for the carvings. Though some of these got damaged during the French Revolution, most of them are still in place. Size and the quality of some of them is really breathtaking. Up on the roof, there is a group of man-eating lions. The giant lions all lokk the same, but the men all slightly differ. It looks, like all men cower in front of the lions and wait, to get bitten in their heads. The sculpture "freezes" exactly the moment, before the very first bite. The moment, before the suffering. These "pairs" of men and lions are placed on the corners of the gables. On top of the gabel stands an eagle. There - on the very top - is no suffering. There is triumph, symbolized by the eagle. Here the has a long beard.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul", using the local pinkish sandstone, started around 1150. The gothic-style crossing tower was added around 1300. The basilica-sytle church has the classical layout of a latin cross and is known for the carvings. Though some of these got damaged during the French Revolution, most of them are still in place. Size and the quality of some of them is really breathtaking. The architecture of this church is sometimes compared with a medieaval reliquary-shrine - and there are analogies indeed, but I see parallels as well to churches in the Lombardy. When in 1622 a troop of mercenaries led by Peter von Mansfeld burnt down the whole village of Rosheim, this building was the only one, that survived. A legends tell, that it was defended by angels. - On the left the chin-pullers, seen before. Thanks to Paula I found this links about medieval beard-pullers. www.beyond-the-pale.org.uk/beardpullers.htm Anthony Weir has the theory, that beard-pulling is a metaphor of masturbation. Wel, could be... If Mr. Weir is right, it may be interesting the the carving of the two chin-pullers is placed prominently on the corner - and the chin-pullers are via the arcade connected to more male heads. All have the same physiognomy, the same expression - and the same moustache. That is worth another thought. When all men here look the same - then all men may be the same sinners. .. and on the other side of the church is a very nice mermaid! www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/5388244363/

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul", using the local pinkish sandstone, started around 1150. The gothic-style crossing tower was added around 1300. The basilica-sytle church has the classical layout of a latin cross and is known for the carvings. Though some of these got damaged during the French Revolution, most of them are still in place. Size and the quality of some of them is really breathtaking. The architecture of this church is sometimes compared with a medieaval reliquary-shrine - and there are analogies indeed, but I see parallels as well to churches in the Lombardy. When in 1622 a troop of mercenaries led by Peter von Mansfeld burnt down the whole village of Rosheim, this building was the only one, that survived. A legends tell, that it was defended by angels. - I wrote this when I uploaded photos I took in in autumn 2010. Now in spring 2011 I just had to return to Rosheim - and the see same church again under a different light. This time I had more time and so I found some details I had not seen before. - There is a certain type of male couples in medieval art, called "beardpullers" as that is what they normally do. These two gentlemen, having parted their long hair nicely down the middle, wear elegant moustaches, so the "traditional" beard-pulling is not possible for them. So they become "chin-pullers". The head of the right person is larger. They seem very static. The pulling seems to be a ritual or are they just waiting patiently in this specific gesture for the carver to finish his work. I am sure, that there is a certain meaning in beard- or chin-pulling, but so far I have no clue.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul", using the local pinkish sandstone, started around 1150. The gothic-style crossing tower was added around 1300. The basilica-sytle church has the classical layout of a latin cross and is known for the carvings. Though some of these got damaged during the French Revolution, most of them are still in place. Size and the quality of some of them is really breathtaking. The architecture of this church is sometimes compared with a medieaval reliquary-shrine - and there are analogies indeed, but I see parallels as well to churches in the Lombardy. When in 1622 a troop of mercenaries led by Peter von Mansfeld burnt down the whole village of Rosheim, this building was the only one, that survived. A legends tell, that it was defended by angels. - Another carving from the outside walls. Mythological centaurs are a composite race of creatures, part human and part horse. Normally. Here the artist combined more parts. The upper body is human, the front of the lower body originates from a horse - the rear part from a snake. ending in a tail that bears leafs. Running around for this guy, balancing on only two feet, must have been quite a challenge.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The church is known for the carvings. Though some of these got damaged during the French Revolution, most of them are still in place. Size and the quality of some of them is really breathtaking. Looking to the central window of the main apse. The large carvings seem to be glued on to the wall. The symbols of the evangelists. On the left the eagle (John), the ox (Luke), on the right the angel (Matthew)and the lion (Marc). The perfectly carved lion has wings and a nimbus. Being the symbol of Marc, the evangelist, he holds a book in his paws.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The church is known for the carvings. Though some of these got damaged during the French Revolution, most of them are still in place. Size and the quality of some of them is really breathtaking. Looking to the central window of the main apse. The large carvings seem to be glued on to the wall. The symbols of the evangelists. On the left the eagle (John), the ox (Luke), on the right the angel (Matthew)and the lion (Marc). During the French Revolution the angel was erased, chiselled off with great precision. Maybe the other three symbols survived, as they were believed to be out of the "real world". When the ensemble consisting of the four sculptures and the window was created, there must have been another "content" in the center. A lamb, or a "majestas domini" in stained glass maybe.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The church is known for the carvings. Though some of these got damaged during the French Revolution, most of them are still in place. Size and the quality of some of them is really breathtaking. Near the base of the crossing tower, on a steep triangel between the red roofs - sits a man The sculpture is about lifesize, perfectly carved. A masterpiece! A man, sitting on the roof in a very relaxed pose. Frozen in a move. In some seconds, he would sit cross-legged. The man has a very individual, vivid face. A wart is over his upper lip. Sometimes this sculpture is described as "Jew holding a money purse", but then the person would wear the specific hat. Others write about a "beggar", but he is very well clothed and carefully shaven. The object in his hand could be a purse, but as well a cup. Maybe he is just somebody enjoying the local white wine. His eyes are wide open. He is focussing on something far behind the horizon - since about 800 years! - I wrote this when I uploaded photos I took in Rosheim in autumn 2010. Now in spring 2011 I just had to return - and the see same church again under a different light. This time I had more time and so I found some details I had not seen before. Here is the photo I took in autumn: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/5386151210/

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The church is known for the carvings. Though some of these got damaged during the French Revolution, most of them are still in place. Size and the quality of some of them is really breathtaking. Near the base of the crossing tower, on a steep triangel between the red roofs - sits a man The sculpture is about lifesize, perfectly carved. A masterpiece! A man, sitting on the roof in a very relaxed pose. Frozen in a move. In some seconds, he would sit cross-legged. The man has a very individual, vivid face. A wart is over his upper lip. Sometimes this sculpture is described as "Jew holding a money purse", but then the person would wear the specific hat. Others write about a "beggar", but he is very well clothed and carefully shaven. The object in his hand could be a purse, but as well a cup. Maybe he is just somebody enjoying the local white wine. His eyes are wide open. He is focussing on something far behind the horizon - since about 800 years! He has an older "collegue" on the other side of the crossing, - have a look: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/5386151210/

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The church is known for the carvings. Though some of these got damaged during the French Revolution, most of them are still in place. Size and the quality of some of them is really breathtaking. Actually, there are two sculptures of men, sitting on a steep triangel between the red roofs. This one sits opposite to the other, seen before. The sculpture is about lifesize, perfectly carved, probably both were carved by the same master. A masterpiece! A man, older than his "collegue", sitting on the roof in a relaxed pose. Barefoot, dressed in a kind of long shirt. He looks haggard, ascetic and has a large head. His eyes are shut. He holds his long beard. He seems to be contemplating about - life and death? Or is he waiting for something to happen? Moss has grown on his 800 year old forehead. He stands in full contrast to the younger, well dressed, wine-drinking (?) man on the other side of the crossing tower. Maybe they are just symbols and stand for "young" and "old". A kind of "memento mori". Here is his younger "collegue". www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/5386151210/

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul", using the local pinkish sandstone, started around 1150. The gothic-style crossing tower was added around 1300. The basilica-sytle church has the classical layout of a latin cross and is known for the carvings. Though some of these got damaged during the French Revolution, most of them are still in place. Size and the quality of some of them is really breathtaking. The architecture of this church is sometimes compared with a medieaval reliquary-shrine - and there are analogies indeed, but I see parallels as well to churches in the Lombardy. When in 1622 a troop of mercenaries led by Peter von Mansfeld burnt down the whole village of Rosheim, this building was the only one, that survived. A legends tell, that it was defended by angels. - A man fighting a dragon. The fighting scene is composed around that little window, using the architectural specifics. What a great artist! The man on the left side of the window, the dragon on the right. The man is in a "full swing", see the legs and the "moving" folds below his belt. His left arm is very long, frames the round window and ends in the snout of the dragon. There must be a knive or a sword, that we do not see, as this is just inside the beast, just killing it. The dragon clings to the window with the two claws. It is winged. The rear part of the body is snake like - and ends in three leafs. Strange, that the dragon wears a collar like a dog. Obviously the beast has an owner, that unleashed it. Owner of a dragon can only be the devil.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul", using the local pinkish sandstone, started around 1150. The gothic-style crossing tower was added around 1300. The basilica-sytle church has the classical layout of a latin cross and is known for the carvings. Though some of these got damaged during the French Revolution, most of them are still in place. Size and the quality of some of them is really breathtaking. The architecture of this church is sometimes compared with a medieaval reliquary-shrine - and there are analogies indeed, but I see parallels as well to churches in the Lombardy. When in 1622 a troop of mercenaries led by Peter von Mansfeld burnt down the whole village of Rosheim, this building was the only one, that survived. A legends tell, that it was defended by angels. - Saints-Pierre-et-Paul seen from the east. There is the apse - and the two arms of the transept. The apse has lots of carvings, near to the window are the symbols of the evangelists. I uploaded photos of them last year. Only the roof of the left arm of the transept is visible, as rectangular chapel (and a stair tower) was added to the cruciform structure later. To add something to a finished and well composed building is never easy. The new architects knew about this "problem" and used the lombardic bands outside, to smoothen the impression. What they for sure did did not want, to destroy the older carvings on the very left side of the apse. They tried hard to find a solution - and found one! See the next photo.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The basilica-style church has the classical layout of a latin cross and is known for the carvings. Size and the quality of some of them are really breathtaking. There are different artistisc styles. I seems like four master-carvers were given a chance here, to show their talents and so they used this as a showcase. The side portal of the church. The tympanon over the two doors got lost over the centuries. The rows of archivolts under the arch still exist. The portal is flanked by two different, masterly carved pillars with unique capitals, seen on the next photo.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The basilica-style church has the classical layout of a latin cross and is known for the carvings. Size and the quality of some of them are really breathtaking. There are different artistisc styles. I seems like four master-carvers were given a chance here, to show their talents and so they used this as a showcase. The well preserved capital of the left pillar flanking the side portal. Actually the style of the capital seems "early", maybe "lombardic", having these semicircular parts, but it is not. It is very / totally geometrical, the carver knew how to use his pair of compasses. The ring below is just perfect. Most surprising and astonishing are these four heads of animals in the edges. The heads too are totally "geormetric" and somehow very "abstract". These could be pigs, or dogs. These heads are probably just a "animal-symbols", something we know - from modern cartoons...

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The basilica-style church has the classical layout of a latin cross and is known for the carvings. Standing near the choir in the nave facing west. The architectural structure of the basilica is clear and sober, not spectacular. A clerestory and a still simple vault, the ribs end in corbels. The side entrance is to the left. The door stands open and so light flows in. On the right is the "chapiteau à têtes". A photo from the back facing east, to the choir, is here: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/5393046660/