Photos, videos and docs of Martin M. Miles, with the keywords: "Samson"

Langogne - Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 20:41:08 +0000

A settlement likely existed along the Roman road from early times, but rural life only truly developed after Saint-Chaffre du Monastier founded a priory there. Thanks to its geographical location, the town became a trading center. Wine, leather, fabrics, and wool were traded at the market established in 1336. Merchants gradually settled in the town, and the population grew. In 1568, the Huguenot captain Merle and his 9,000 men plundered and destroyed the town. It had to be rebuilt.

Today, Langogne is a rural town with about 2,800 inhabitants. In the 1950s, it had a population of over 4,000. The population decline is clearly visible. Empty shops and abandoned stores dominate the streetscape.

The church of Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais was built in the 12th century by monks from Saint-Chaffre. It was destroyed in the 16th century during the Huguenot Wars when much of the monastery was burned down, and the church was severely damaged. The restoration brought about profound changes, but the interior with al the capitals is still romanesque.

Samson (long hair) tearing the lion apart.

Southwell - Southwell Minster

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 23 May 2024 11:52:26 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The earliest church on the site is believed to have been founded in 627 by Paulinus, the first Archbishop of York, when he visited the area while baptising believers.

In 956 King Eadwig gave land in Southwell to Oskytel, Archbishop of York, on which a minster church was established. The Domesday Book of 1086 recorded the Southwell manor. The Norman reconstruction of the church began in 1108, probably as a rebuilding of the Anglo-Saxon church. Many stones from this earlier Anglo-Saxon church were reused in the construction. Work on the nave began after 1120 and the church was completed by c.1150.

Southwell is where Charles I surrendered to Scottish Presbyterian troops in 1646 during the English Civil War. The fighting saw the church seriously damaged and the nave is said to have been used as stabling.

In 1711 the southwest spire was struck by lightning, and the resulting fire spread to the nave, crossing and tower destroying roofs, bells, clock and organ. By 1720 repairs had been completed, now giving a flat panelled ceiling to the nave and transepts.

In danger of collapse, the spires were removed in 1805 and re-erected in 1879–81 when the minster was extensively restored. The nave roof was replaced with a pitched roof and the quire was redesigned and refitted.

St Michael fighting the dragon - and on te left side Samson tearing the lion apart.

Brindisi - San Giovanni al Sepolcro

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 16:34:24 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Settlers, who did trade with Greece, lived here already during the Bronze Age. After the Punic Wars, it became a major center of Roman naval power and maritime trade. After the decline of the Roman Empire Brindisi was conquered by Ostrogoths, and reconquered by the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. In 674 it was destroyed by the Lombards led by Romuald I of Benevento, It was rebuilt and within the 9th century. It was under the Saracen rule from 836 to 868, when it was retaken by the Byzantines. In 1070, it was conquered by the Normans, led by Robert Guiskard.

Brindisi flourished under the Staufer and developed into a privileged port for the Holy Land during the period of the Crusades. It was an Episcopal See and a new cathedral was constructed, in which the wedding of Norman Prince Roger III of Sicily and Irene Angelina, daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Isaac II Angelos took place.

Emperor Frederick II and Isabella of Brienne embarked from the port of Brindisi in 1228 for the Sixth Crusade.
The round-shaped church was built by the Templars on their return from the Holy Land in 11C. Traditions know, that it was erected at the behest of Norman prince Bohemond.

It recalls the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. This was a place of pilgrimage, controlled by the Order of Canons of the Holy Sepulcher. In fact, for those who arrived, the building was an advance of that of Jerusalem while for those who returned, a memory.

In 1489 Pope Innocent VIII declared the Order of Canons of the Holy Sepulcher to be extinct and decreed that its assets be transferred to the Order of the Hospital of San Giovanni in Jerusalem and Rhodes.

In 1761 an earthquake destroyed most of Brindisi, the Church of San Giovanni al Sepolcro did not collapse but suffered considerable damage. This led to a long decay and the loss of 80% of the frescoed surface, until the restoration in the mid-nineteenth century which led it to serve as the temporary seat of the Civic Museum from 1850 to 1955. Excavations inside the building found ancient remains from the Roman era, including the floor of a Roman domus.

The portal of the rotunda church is decorated with fine stone carvings.

Judges, 14 5-6

"Samson went down to Timnah together with his father and mother. As they approached the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young lion came roaring toward him. The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat."

Note his beautiful, long hair. Here is how he lost it:
www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1291566

Brindisi - San Giovanni al Sepolcro

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 10:40:51 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Settlers, who did trade with Greece, lived here already during the Bronze Age. After the Punic Wars it became a major center of Roman naval power and maritime trade. After the decline of the Roman Empire Brindisi was conquered by Ostrogoths, and reconquered by the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. In 674 it was destroyed by the Lombards led by Romuald I of Benevento, It was rebuilt and within the 9th century. It was under Saracen rule from 836 to 868, when it was retaken by the Byantines. In 1070, it was conquered by the Normans, led by Robert Guiskard.

Brindisi flourished under the Staufer and developed into a privileged port for the Holy Land during the period of Crusades. It was an Episcopal See and a new cathedral was constructed, in which the wedding of Norman Prince Roger III of Sicily and Irene Angelina, daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Isaac II Angelos took place.

Emperor Frederick II and Isabella of Brienne embarked from the port of Brindisi in 1228 for the Sixth Crusade.

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The round-shaped church was built by the Templars on their return from the Holy Land in the 11C. Traditions know, that it was erected on behest of Norman prince Bohemond .

It recalls the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. This was a place of pilgrimage, controlled by the Order of Canons of the Holy Sepulcher. In fact, for those who arrived, the building was an advance of that of Jerusalem while for those who returned, a memory.

In 1489 Pope Innocent VIII declared the Order of Canons of the Holy Sepulcher to be extinct and decreed that its assets be transferred to the Order of the Hospital of San Giovanni in Jerusalem and Rhodes.

In 1761 an earthquake destroyed most Brindisi, the Church of San Giovanni al Sepolcro did not collapse but suffered considerable damage. This led to a long decay and the loss of 80% of the frescoed surface, until the restoration in the mid-nineteenth century which led it to serve as the temporary seat of the Civic Museum from 1850 to 1955. Excavations inside the building found ancient remains from the Roman era, including the floor of a Roman domus.

The upper part of the portal´s left side. At the top are two symmetrical birds (no chalice), below a nude rider on a horse, holding a staff. Then there is Samson tearing the lion apart. At the bottom are two centaurs. The right one is a very rare female centaur! They both hold chalices, a large snake drinks from the male centaur´s cup.

Trani - Chiesa di Ognissanti

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 21:51:28 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Trani may have been founded by Greek settlers, but the known history starts late. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it was dominated by Lombards, Byzantines, Saracens and again Byzantines. With the conquest of southern Italy by the Normans and after 50 days of siege by Robert Guiscard´s troops, Trani became part of the Norman Empire in 1073.

Already under the Byzantines, Trani had become an important port for trade with the Orient. The heyday was in the time of the crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries, when crusaders and merchants mainly went to the Holy Land from Bari and Trani. It became an episcopal see in place of Canosa, destroyed by the Saracens. Frederick II promoted the Teutonic Knights and the Jewish community and built a massive castle. Under his rule, the city reached its highest point of wealth and prosperity.

The "Chiesa di Ognissanti" (= All Saints) was probably founded in the 12th and completed in the 13th century. It is located next to the harbour, from where many crusaders sailed off to the Holy Land.

The tradition links the church to the Templar Order, but following the documents, it is more likely that it was the church of the merchant colony of Ravello. It may well have been a place of blessing for the crusaders.

The church became the property of the bishop of Conversano and in 1479 was donated to the Lambertini family, that originated from, Ravello.

Since the 19th century, the church is as well known as "Chiesa del Purgatorio". It became the seat of several Confraternities. It served the parish up to 1975 and became the seat of the Secular Franciscan Order in the 1980s. In 2019 there was a sign that it is now "Sito ufficiale dei Templari Cattolici d´Italia".
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The rear of the church facing the sea with three small protruding semicircular apses is very extraordinary. Here is the window of the central apse. Here are different kinds of stones carved in different styles and techniques. Seen on top is Samson tearing the lion apart.

Abbaye de Cadouin

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 12:25:04 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

A hermitage was founded here by Géraud de Salles, a friend of Robert de Arbrissel, the of the Cistercian abbey of Fontevrault. In 1119 the hermitage was made an abbey, connected to the Abbaye de Pontigny. The Abbaye de Cîteaux ceded twelve monks to Cadouin for the first settlement of the monastery.

Around 1200 the monastery came into possession of the "Saint-Suaire de Cadouin". This was believed to be the facecloth from the tomb of Christ, said to have been brought from Antioch by a priest after the first crusade. This relic made the abbey an important place of pilgrimage on the way to Santiago and brought it great prestige and wealth. Even Louis IX of France ("St. Louis"), Richard I of England ("Richard the Lionheart") and Emperor Charles V ("Charles Quint") visited Cadouin to see the relic.

The war of the 14th century let the pilgrimage come to an end and let the abbey decline. In 1357 the abbey was ruined and only two monks stayed to guard the shroud, that was transferred to Toulouse in 1392. This transport of shroud to Toulouse deprived the abbey of donations.

The shroud returned and with the strong support of the French Kings, the abbey recovered after 1455. Thanks to royal protection, the cloister was rebuilt in an extravagant way.

The abbey was affiliated to the Cistercian order, but not founded by it. This is one reason, that may explain the enormous creativity here, as "normally" the Cistercian art is very sober.

Though the authenticity of the shroud was attested in 1644, the abbey did never fully recover after the Wars of Religions. During the French Revolution, the abbey was dissolved and got looted. In 1793 the abbey, apart from the church, was sold as a national property.

The mayor of Cadouin hid the shroud during the Revolution until it was returned to worship in 1797. It was the Bishop of Perigueux in the mid 19th century, who "relaunched" the pilgrimage, that prospered again up to 1934.

That year, a historian dated the shroud thanks to the presence of decorative bands decorated with a text. An inscription was found in Kufic style, opened by the "fatiha", the Islamic profession of faith, the text then indicates that the veil was woven at the time of Al-Musta'li, the caliph of Fatimid Egypt, at the end of the 11th century.

The extravagant cloister has many very interesting carvings.

Here is Samson, who is mostly depicted, tearing a the lion apart. But now his hair is cut off with the help of Delilah

Judges 18-19

"When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, “Come back once more; he has told me everything.” So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him."

La Chaise-Dieu

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 09:42:45 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

La Chaise-Dieu was founded in 1043 by Robert de Turlande. It was named "Casa Dei", from which La Chaise-Dieu developed. From the 11th to the 13th century, the abbey experienced rapid and significant development. When the founder died in 1067, already 300 monks lived here. In the Auvergne La Chaise-Dieu gained importance similar to that of the Burgundian Cluny Abbey. The abbey received many donations from noble families and administered 42 daughter monasteries. Popes who visited the abbey include Urban II, Calixt II, Alexander III. and Innocent II. In 1342, Pierre Roger, who had lived as a monk in La Chaise-Dieu, became Pope in Avignon under the name Clement VI. He financed a new building of the abbey church, in which he was finally buried. The building was completed in 1378 under the pontificate of Gregory XI, a nephew of Clement VI.

Since 1516 La Chaise-Dieu, like most other French abbeys, became "in commendam" so the commendatory abbot drew the revenue of the monastery but without fulfilling the duties of the abbot or even residing at the monastery.

Calvinist troops looted the abbey in August 1562. After most of the monastery buildings were destroyed by fire in 1695, they were rebuilt by the monks in the decades that followed. In 1786, Cardinal de Rohan, who was involved in the "Affair of the Diamond Necklace" was exiled to La Chaise-Dieu. While the abbey had 40 monks at that time, religious life ended at the beginning of the French Revolution.

La Chaise-Dieu is known for the tapestries, once woven to embellish the monks´ choir.

They were commissioned by Jacques de Saint-Nectaire and were woven by a Flemish workshop between 1501 and 1518.

The collection includes 14 tapestries of which two are different and may have been ordered by the abbot for his personal use.

The 12 other tapestries constitute a complete continuation of the Annunciation to the Last Judgment. An inventory prior to the Revolution mentions 18 tapestries, so four tapestries have therefore disappeared.

The tapestries were only exhibited during major liturgical feasts. They were rolled up and kept during the troubles during the Wars of Religion and the Revolution.

In 2013 the tapestries were removed. They got restored and returned to the abbey in July 2019. I was lucky to see them in August 2019.

The Resurection of Jesus.

To the left Judges 16:3
"But Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron."

To the right Jonah 2:10
"And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land."

La Chaise-Dieu

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 18:45:36 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

La Chaise-Dieu was founded in 1043 by Robert de Turlande. It was named "Casa Dei", from which La Chaise-Dieu developed. From the 11th to the 13th century, the abbey experienced rapid and significant development. When the founder died in 1067, already 300 monks lived here. In the Auvergne La Chaise-Dieu gained importance similar to that of the Burgundian Cluny Abbey. The abbey received many donations from noble families and administered 42 daughter monasteries. Popes who visited the abbey include Urban II, Calixt II, Alexander III. and Innocent II. In 1342, Pierre Roger, who had lived as a monk in La Chaise-Dieu, became Pope in Avignon under the name Clement VI. He financed a new building of the abbey church, in which he was finally buried. The building was completed in 1378 under the pontificate of Gregory XI, a nephew of Clement VI.

Since 1516 La Chaise-Dieu, like most other French abbeys, became "in commendam" so the commendatory abbot drew the revenue of the monastery but without fulfilling the duties of the abbot or even residing at the monastery.

Calvinist troops looted the abbey in August 1562. After most of the monastery buildings were destroyed by fire in 1695, they were rebuilt by the monks in the decades that followed. In 1786, Cardinal de Rohan, who was involved in the "Affair of the Diamond Necklace" was exiled to La Chaise-Dieu. While the abbey had 40 monks at that time, religious life ended at the beginning of the French Revolution.

La Chaise-Dieu is known for the tapestries, once woven to embellish the monks´ choir.

They were commissioned by Jacques de Saint-Nectaire and were woven by a Flemish workshop between 1501 and 1518.

The collection includes 14 tapestries of which two are different and may have been ordered by the abbot for his personal use.

The 12 other tapestries constitute a complete continuation of the Annunciation to the Last Judgment. An inventory prior to the Revolution mentions 18 tapestries, so four tapestries have therefore disappeared.

The tapestries were only exhibited during major liturgical feasts. They were rolled up and kept during the troubles during the Wars of Religion and the Revolution.

In 2013 the tapestries were removed. They got restored and returned to the abbey in July 2019. I was lucky to see them in August 2019.

In the center - Jesus sold by Judas - Matthew 26:14 -15
"Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver."

Left - Joseph sold by his brothers - Genesis 37:28
"So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt."

Right - Samson sold by Delilah - Judges 16:4 - 5
"Some time later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah. The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, “See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.”

Albugnano - Abbazia di Vezzolano

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 14:04:33 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Legends connect the foundation of the Abbazia Santa Maria di Vezzolano to Charlemagne. It does date back to the eighth century and got destroyed in the 10th century by the Saracens.

The complex was rebuilt until 1189 and is documented as an Augustinian monastery from 1095. It was the seat of a community until the 19th century when it was suppressed during the Napoleonic invasion of Italy.

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Along the nave are some nicely carved capitals. Long haired Samson tearing the lion apart. A very common icon.

Sélestat - Sainte-Foy

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:08:52 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The "Église Sainte-Foy de Sélestat" was built in only 10 years between 1170 and 1180, succeeding an earlier ("Holy Sepulcre")church from around 1085 built by Hildegard von Egisheim. Of this church only the rectangular crypt (and some cavings) remained. Hildegard´s grandson Frederick I Barbarossa funded the construction of the new church, that was the center of a benedictine monastry, depending from the abbey St. Foy in Conques.

A man fighting a giant lion, carved from reddish sandstone. To get the very most space for the carvings, the carver placed the two figures diagonally, so creating a very vivid scene. Actually this theme ("man fighting lion") can be found twice outside the church.

Thanks to Paula G.M. I now know, that this carving shows Samson, opening the lion´s mouth.

Monreale - Duomo di Monreale

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 14:15:06 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

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 archepiscopal 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" and interpret.

Samson and Delilah

Judges 16:1-3

"One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute.(..) The people of Gaza were told, "Samson is here!" So they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. (..) “At dawn we’ll kill him.” But Samson (..) took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron."

Judges 16:15-19

"Then she said to him, "How can you say, "I love you," when you won’t confide in me? (..) " With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it.

So he told her everything. "No razor has ever been used on my head," he said, "because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man."

When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, "Come back once more; he has told me everything." So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him."

Judges 15:25-30

"While they were in high spirits, they shouted, "Bring out Samson to entertain us." So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them.

When they stood him among the pillars, Samson said to the servant who held his hand, "Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them." Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. Then Samson prayed to the Lord, "Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes." Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived."

Tollevast - Saint-Martin

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 08:54:18 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The single-nave church "Saint-Martin" in the center of Tollevast dates back to the 11th/12th century. The church is known for extraordenary carvings inside and outside. Seigneur Henri de Tollevast, who fought on the side of William the Conquerer in Hastings, founded this church. His tomb can be found inside.

I had been here five years ago and already uploaded many photos. Now I will add only very few.

This is probably Samson, tearing the lion apart.

Hoinkhausen - St. Pankratius

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 09:48:29 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

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.

Lautenbach - Collégiale Saint Gangolph

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 20:51:36 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Theologian Manegold of Lautenbach, a celebrity of his time, lived here in the 11th. century. During the Investiture Controversy, Manegold sided strongly with Pope Gregory VII. Emperor Henry IV was so annoyed about this, that he sent an army, to destroy the monastery and churches. That ended the monastery 1084. About 50 years later Augustinian Canons settled here - and rebuilt the church, reusing a lot of old material.

This frieze over a lintel of a now walled side-entrance, is probably one of the parts, that were reused. The three arches are pretty delicate, even the capitals of the pillars are nicely done, - but the carvings inside the arches are pretty archaic.

Under the left arch is a lion, that actually does look a bit like a poodle. The rear part of the lion, including one leg got lost. The head of the lion looks a bit "human".

Under the middle arch, a rather small man fighting a lion. He is "riding" the lion - and trying to open the lion´s mouth. This may be Samson.

Under the right arch is probably as well a lion, but there are so many parts missing, that it is hard to say, what this really shows.

I had been here before. So now I just add a few shots, that I did not had taken before . More photos of the Collégiale Saint Gangolph are in the set

www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/sets/72157626442170032/

Brive-la-Gaillarde - Collégiale Saint-Martin

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 10:03:40 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Brive´s parish church is a former collegiate church. The large church was erected in the 12th/13th century, where already Gregory of Tours mentions a church. This was built over the tomb of missionary "Saint Martin l'Espagnol" ("Saint Martin the Spaniard") at the end of the fifth century .

For the first two centries the collegiate, founded end of the 11th century, prospered, supported by the Bishops of Limoge, but entered financial difficulties later. The cloister of the collegiate was destroyed in 1764, after the Augustin canons living here, joined the Priory of Port-Dieu. After the Revolution the the conventual buildings were bought by City and demolished in 1835.

The church got altered, rebuilt and renovated many times over the time, but the corbels and capitals around the apse are Romanesque. Here is Samson tearing a lion apart with his bare hands.

Remagen - Pfarrhoftor

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:08:20 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

One of the first printed records about this gate stated in 1859 "Of all old monuments in the Rhine valley, none as mysterious as the portal (...) near the church in Remagen".

The Pfarrhoftor (= Gateway to the parish close) still is enigmatic. It may have been erected for a nearby monastery, that centered around an St. Apollinaris shrine, it may have been in deed a gate to a parish close. Actually it known since the 17th century, when parts of it were found, walled in between the rectory and the encircling wall. The parts were recovered and like pieces of a puzzle joined together.

Though the cope stone was lost, the large arch was easy to reconstruct. Wether the smaller side portal originally was left or right is unclear.
The 22 carved reliefs here have triggered more than a dozend different theories. I will quote some. The carving style was not appreciated by the art-historians. Already Wilhelm Bode ("Geschichte der Deutschen Plastik") wrote in 1887 that the carver was "without any artistic ambition".

For me this portal has parallels in Linden and Goegging. All three portals are roughly carved - and enigmatic, blending christian, pagan and ancient icons. The only point, that is undisputed is, that the portal was erected in the second half of the 12th century.

In 1902, when the neo-Romanesque church St. Peter and Paul was erected, the Pfarrhoftor got placed here, next to the new church.

This very weathered relief probably corresponds to the "triumphator" (previous upload). It is one of the few, that are undisputed and depicts Samson (with very long hair), killing a lion with his bare hands.

Millstatt am See - Stift Millstatt

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 29 Aug 2017 07:17:34 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Stift Millstatt ("Millstatt Abbey") was founded by the Aribo II and Boto, members of Aribonids, a noble, Bavarian family, around 1070.

Run by Benedictine monks and protected by Papal deeds Stift Millstatt prospered in the early years and a nunnery was added.

Within the 13th century, the decay began. As the abbey had secular Church Vogts, it suffered strongly under the political powergames of that timne and finaly ended 1456 under the House of Habsburg. At that time only 10 monks still lived here.

Emperor Frederick III reached a papal bull in 1469, so that the military order of the Knights of Saint George took over Stift Millstatt in order to fight the invading troops of the Ottoman Empire.

The order now had to cope with the debts left by the Benedictines and the redevelopment of the neglected premises. While the knights were engaged with the fortification of the monastery, they failed to protect the region. Millstatt was heavily devastated by the Turks in 1478, followed by Hungarian troops in 1487. As the power of the knightly order declined, unrests and revolts arose among the peasants.

As the new Protestant belief spread in the area the monastery vested the Society of Jesus ("Jesuits") in 1598 to support the Counter-Reformation.

The monks were disliked by the population for their stern measures. In 1737 the displeasure culminated in open revolt, when peasants ganged up and stormed the monastery. The rule of the Jesuits ended, when the order was suppressed by Pope Clement XIV in 1773. The monks had to leave Millstatt.

Today the former abbey-church serves the parish, while the other buildings belong to the Austrian state and host the "Österreichische Bundesforste" (Austrian State Forestry Commission).

The church underwent numerous alterations over the centuries. It did not only suffer from fires, but as well from earthquakes. A strong quake in 1690 heavily damaged the western facade.

The side portal of the former abby church is in the northeastern corner of the cloister. This is from where the monks entered the church. The portal was "remodeled" around 1500, using Romanesque sculptures, that probably were created 1150-1200 for different places. Here is a tiny Samson fighting a giant lion.

Gurk - Dom

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 20:06:10 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

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.

A beautiful, long-haired and very relaxed Samson wrestling the lion.

Book of Judges 14:6

"The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done."

Schaffhausen - Kloster Allerheiligen

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 31 May 2017 17:22:10 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Kloster Allerheiligen (= "All Saints Abbey") is a former Benedictine monastery, founded by Eberhard VI. von Nellenburg in 1049. The Nellenburg family controlled the bypass of the Rheinfall waterfalls, what led to great wealth. The construction site of the monastery was consecrated by by Pope Leo IX and the works were completed already 1064.

The church was dedicated to the Saviour, the Holy Cross, the Virgin Mary and All the Saints. Allerheiligen became, instead of the Reichenau Abbey, the new grave lay by the founding family, and Eberhard himself became a monk in the abbey, and died here in 1078.

During the Investiture Controversy the pope loyal Burkhard von Nellenburg, Ebergard´s son and heir, conformed in 1080 all of the rights of the monastery. The monastery was subordinate to the Pope, and received the vast estate of the Nellenburg family, the free election of the abbot, and the town of Schaffhausen. Burkhard remained the monastery's Vogt, and motivated the abbot to join with some monks from the Hirsau Abbey, to reform the monastery on the model of Hirsau, that was based on Cluny

During the Reformation in Switzerland, the abbey was abolished, and the church of the abbey became the second main city church in 1524. Kloster Allerheiligen is a labyrinthic complex of buildings.

This building was outside the "clausura". It connected the offices of the abbot with the guest rooms. The lower part (first and second storey) including the loggia were erected in the early 13th century. There are some extraordinary carvings.

Here is Samson wrestling a lion.

Book of Judges 14:6

"The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done."

Alet-les-Bains - Abbaye Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 17:53:54 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The Benedictine abbey was founded in the early 9th century. It prospered, but the times got difficult, when feudal wars arose in the area. After the Count of Carcassonne had devastated the abbey, the monks rebuilt it and erected a wall around the abbey and the adjoining village.

As the monks supported the Cathar side, when the Albigensian Crusade started against the heretics, the monks got excommunicated. Decades after Simon de Monfort´s troops had finally conquered the complete area and had wiped out what ever was Cathar, some monks were allowed back.

In 1318 Alet was promoted a diocese and the abbey church became a cathedral.

The abbey had avoided the devastation of the Albigensian crusade, but it did not escape plunder during the Wars of Religions. Huguenot troops took and looted Alet in 1573. The episcopal palace got demolished and the cathedral got destroyed. During an assault in 1577 an uncontrolled cannonball caused the roof of the cathedral to collapse.

The ruins were used as a quarry over the next centuries. First restaurations started in the 19th century.

The very damaged Samson, tearing the lion apart, is located next to the window frame (see previous upload).