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

Issendolus - Saint- Julien

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:52:34 +0000

Issendolus is a village with approximately 500 inhabitants. It lies on a side route of the "Via Podiensis", roughly halfway between Rocamadour and Figeac. The
"Hôpital-Beaulieu", a pilgrims' hospital existed here from the 13th century onwards, but it was repeatedly damaged during the Hundred Years' War and the Huguenot Wars and finally destroyed in 1793.

Following the Allied invasion in 1944, the SS Division "Das Reich" destroyed barns and buildings in the hamlet of Gabaudet and massacred the local population.

Cahors - Pont Valentré

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 22:43:18 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Cahors is situated within a U-shaped bend in the River Lot. There was a celtic settlement here, that developed into a large Roman city.

The city was under Visigothic later Merovingian/Frankish influence. The war between Chlothar I sons Chilperic I and Guntram (aka "Saint Guntram) badly affected the economy, but Cahors recovered - before it got burnt down and looted by Saracens, Vikings and Magyars in the 8th and 9th century.

When more and more pilgrims flocked on the way to Santiago de Compostela Cahors won importance, as the Via Podiensis run right through the city. It actually still does!

There are actually two different routes to Cahors for the pilgrims. They either can follow the valley of the Lot or they choose the "chemin" through the valley of the Cele (what I did years ago). But there is only one chemin out of Cahors - via the Pont Valentré.

The six-span fortified bridge has become a symbol of the city. It was built between 1308 and 1378.

Cahors - Pont Valentré

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 22:33:02 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Le Puy en Velay - Via Podiensis

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 10:04:14 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

In medieval times Le Puy has been a point, where pilgrims met, to follow the "Via Podensis" to Santiago de Compostella (-> 1600 kms). It still is!

The mass begins at 7am and ends with the blessing of pilgrims. The pilgrims seen here, rushing to the cathedral are a little late already. This afternoon they will reach St. Privat-d'Allier about 22kms west. When I walked here in 2008 it was pouring down. The bad weather went on for days.

The stretch between Le Puy and Conques was (for me!) the most impressing walk I ever did. Crossing the Aubrac is breathtaking!

Utreia!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtny1-EawRQ

Conques - Sainte-Foy

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 12:10:42 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Conques is a popular stop for all pilgrims traveling the Via Podiensis. This is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I had started in Geneva in 2008 and I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques after some weeks.

A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years.

The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. This can still be done for an hour in the evening and is - absolutely breathtaking!

I have visited Conques meanwhile a couple of times - and it stays a magic place. I´ll be back - soon.

Conques - Sainte-Foy

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 11:54:10 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Conques is a popular stop for all pilgrims traveling the Via Podiensis. This is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I had started in Geneva in 2008 and I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques after some weeks.

A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years.

The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. This can still be done for an hour in the evening and is - absolutely breathtaking!

Different masons and carvers have worked in Conques over the building process, so here are different Romanesque styles. The oldest capitals are around the choir´s ambulatory.

More choir stalls..

Conques - Sainte-Foy

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 11:42:05 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Conques is a popular stop for all pilgrims traveling the Via Podiensis. This is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I had started in Geneva in 2008 and I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques after some weeks.

A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years.

The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. This can still be done for an hour in the evening and is - absolutely breathtaking!

Different masons and carvers have worked in Conques over the building process, so here are different Romanesque styles. The oldest capitals are around the choir´s ambulatory.

Choir stalls

Conques - Sainte-Foy

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 11:28:50 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Conques is a popular stop for all pilgrims traveling the Via Podiensis. This is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I had started in Geneva in 2008 and I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques after some weeks.

A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years.

The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. This can still be done for an hour in the evening and is - absolutely breathtaking!

Different masons and carvers have worked in Conques over the building process, so here are different Romanesque styles. The oldest capitals are around the choir´s ambulatory.

The Annunciation

Conques - Sainte-Foy

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 11:17:08 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Conques is a popular stop for all pilgrims traveling the Via Podiensis. This is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I had started in Geneva in 2008 and I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques after some weeks.

A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years.

The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. This can still be done for an hour in the evening and is - absolutely breathtaking!

Different masons and carvers have worked in Conques over the building process, so here are different Romanesque styles. The oldest capitals are around the choir´s ambulatory.

The Condemnation of St. Foy.

The capital seems cracked. The King is "tied" to the scene by the restorers.

Conques - Sainte-Foy

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 11:05:02 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Conques is a popular stop for all pilgrims traveling the Via Podiensis. This is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I had started in Geneva in 2008 and I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques after some weeks.

A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years.

The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. This can still be done for an hour in the evening and is - absolutely breathtaking!

Different masons and carvers have worked in Conques over the building process, so here are different Romanesque styles. The oldest capitals are around the choir´s ambulatory.

Two birds drinking from a chalice ("fons vitae"), an Eucharistic symbol.

Conques - Sainte-Foy

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 08:54:57 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Conques is a popular stop for all pilgrims traveling the Via Podiensis. This is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I had started in Geneva in 2008 and I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques after some weeks.

A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years.

The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. This can still be done for an hour in the evening and is - absolutely breathtaking!

Different masons and carvers have worked in Conques over the building process, so here are different Romanesque styles. The oldest capitals are around the choir´s ambulatory.

Centaurs and mermaids..

Conques - Sainte-Foy

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 23:58:27 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Conques is a popular stop for all pilgrims traveling the Via Podiensis. This is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I had started in Geneva in 2008 and I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques after some weeks.

A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years.

The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. This can still be done for an hour in the evening and is - absolutely breathtaking!

Different masons and carvers have worked in Conques over the building process, so here are different Romanesque styles. The oldest capitals are around the choir´s ambulatory. This is one of them, probably depicting the crucifixion of Apostle Petrus.

Conques - Sainte-Foy

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 23:15:59 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Conques is a popular stop for all pilgrims traveling the Via Podiensis. This is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I had started in Geneva in 2008 and I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques after some weeks.

A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years.

The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. This can still be done for an hour in the evening and is - absolutely breathtaking!

Different masons and carvers have worked in Conques over the building process, so here are different Romanesque styles.

Christ (with a cross halo, flanked by two apostles) holding two large chalices.

Conques - Sainte-Foy

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 22:41:12 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Conques - Sainte-Foy

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:03:38 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Conques is a popular stop for all pilgrims traveling the Via Podiensis. This is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I had started in Geneva in 2008 and I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques after some weeks.

A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years.

The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. This can still be done for an hour in the evening and is - absolutely breathtaking!

The "main attraction" is probably the tympanum. The "Last Judgement" was carved around 1130 - and tells many stories. Here are tortures of hell. The right devil may be a (winged?) hare and the poor soul being roasted may be a hunter.

Conques - Sainte-Foy

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:54:52 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Conques is a popular stop for all pilgrims traveling the Via Podiensis. This is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I had started in Geneva in 2008 and I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques after some weeks.

A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years.

The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. This can still be done for an hour in the evening and is - absolutely breathtaking!

The "main attraction" is probably the tympanum, a detail is seen here. The "Last Judgement" was carved around 1130 - and tells many stories. Here are the doors to heaven - and hell.

Conques - Sainte-Foy

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 12:46:43 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Note the heap of backpacks to the left. The first pilgrims have arrived already at noontime in Conques. This place is a popular stop for all pilgrims traveling the Via Podiensis, this is a treat after having crossed the harsh Aubrac. I had started in Geneva in 2008 and I still remember my feelings, when I reached Conques after some weeks.

A tiny convent existed here already in the 8th century. This grew into a very successful monastery, after the relics of St. Foy arrived in Conques through theft in 866. The relics were stolen by a monk from Conques, who had posed as a loyal monk in Agen for years.

The arrival of the relics of St. Foy caused the pilgrimage route to shift to Conques. As the existing church was too small for all the pilgrims, a new, much larger church had to be constructed. It was completed by the end of the 11th century. As a large pilgrim´s church it had an ambulatory with five radiating chapels. A century later galleries were added over the aisle and the roof was raised over the transept and choir to allow people to circulate at the gallery level. This can still be done for an hour in the evening and is - absolutely breathtaking!

The "main attraction" is probably the tympanum, seen here. The "Last Judgement" was carved around 1130 - and tells many stories.

Laramière - Prieuré

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 22:00:16 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Bertrand de Griffeuille was a wandering hermit, who over decades of wandering around, founded a number of convents between the Auvergne and the Quercy. In 1145, he founded this convent. 10 years later it had developed into a priory dependent on the Augustinian Abbey in La Couronne (Charente).

At that time pilgrims following the Via Podiensis stopped here, but after the body of legendary Saint Amadour had been found by monks (1166), most pilgrims walked via Rocamadour.

The priory got fortified - but did suffer during the Hundred Years´ War, when it got sacked. During the Wars of Religion Calvinist troops conquered the place. In 1661 Jesuits settled here, but in 1762 this order got banned and had to move. After the French Revolution the buildings were sold - and since then are private property. Tours are offered over the summer, but I did not have the time to wait..

Cahors - Cathédrale Saint-Étienne

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 22:28:04 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The Cahors Cathedral was erected between 1080 and 1135. It got consecrated by Pope Calixtus II in 1119. The same pope, who two years later could imprison his rival "Antipope" Gregory VIII. Four years later, Calixtus ended the Investiture Controversy by agreeing with Emperor Henry V on the Concordat of Worms.

During the times of medieval pilgrimage this cathedral was an important place on the "Via Podiensis", as the "Sainte Coiffe" could be venerated here. This "Holy Headdress" was believed to have been used during Jesus' burial. It had been given to Aymatus, Bishop of Cahors, by Charlemagne. A relic similar to the "Shroud of Turin".

While inside the cathedral all carvings got vandalized by iconoclastic fanatics during the Wars of Religion, the carvings here got spared out. The most prominent features are probably the two domes, seen here fro the cloister, that was added in 1504. While inside the cathedral all carvings got vandalized by iconoclastic fanatics during the Wars of Religion, the carvings here got spared out. So this pilgrim wearing the shell on his hat survived. He receives a piece of bread from a generous person.

Cahors - Cathédrale Saint-Étienne

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 20:53:04 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The Cahors Cathedral was erected between 1080 and 1135. It got consecrated by Pope Calixtus II in 1119. The same pope, who two years later could imprison his rival "Antipope" Gregory VIII. Four years later, Calixtus ended the Investiture Controversy by agreeing with Emperor Henry V on the Concordat of Worms.

During the times of medieval pilgrimage this cathedral was an important place on the "Via Podiensis", as the "Sainte Coiffe" could be venerated here. This "Holy Headdress" was believed to have been used during Jesus' burial. It had been given to Aymatus, Bishop of Cahors, by Charlemagne. A relic similar to the "Shroud of Turin".

The most prominent features are probably the two domes, seen here fro the cloister, that was added in 1504. While inside the cathedral all carvings got vandalized by iconoclastic fanatics during the Wars of Religion, the carvings here got spared out.