Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: bell-tower

The romanesque cathedral Saint-Théodorit destroyed within the Cathar Cruisade, was rebuilt but destroyed again during the Wars of Religion. The church of today was constructed within the 17th century. Just the 12th century bell-tower, named today "Tour Fenestrelle" survived the centuries. The structure of the round bell-tower is pretty complex, as to be seen here. In the middle the head of a ram, very common within that time. Below over the pillar a human face.

The romanesque cathedral Saint-Théodorit destroyed within the Cathar Cruisade, was rebuilt but destroyed again during the Wars of Religion. The church of today was constructed within the 17th century. Just the 12th century bell-tower, named today "Tour Fenestrelle" survived the centuries (though "reconstructed" in the higher levels). The tower is round - and seems to be a very close cousin of the italian campaniles.

The parish church of Bellenaves, dedicated to Saint Martin, was a part of priory, when it was built in the second half of the 12th century. The western facade, seen here, with the central portal and the arcades above is clearly influenced by the burgundian architecture. When the bell-tower over the crossing was finished, the gothic style was already dominant.

The village (mostly just named Moustiers) on the entrance of the "Gorges de Verdon", clings onto high cliffs. It even has a waterfall in the middle. No wonder, that it is one of the "Plus Beaux Villages de France". The parish church has this exceptional bell tower seen here. The tower was constructed within the 12th century in "lombardic style". But the best known landmark of Moustiers is not seen here: the star! Since centuries a long chain with a golden star connects both cliffs - and a phantastic story is connected to that star. When we visited Moustiers, the star was "in repair". Some weeks earlier "myshy" took a nice photo of the chain and the star - and there is the full story as well: www.flickr.com/photos/myhsu/4990518112/

The construction of the cathedral began in 1107, but the works were damaged and the building process stopped after the earthquake in 1117. In 1129 the construction resumed and most of the building was probably completed around 1170. Then many alterations and modifications of the building started. The façade was probably built in the late 13th century. The massive tower is named "Torrazzo". With a height of 112.7 metres this tower is one of the tallest brickwork towers in the world. It is the oldest brick structure taller than 100 m that is still standing. The construction of the tower began in the 1230s. It was completed in 1309. The astronomical clock, built in the 1580s, is still the largest - worldwide.