Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: panflute

Today Miñón de Santibáñez has less than 20 inhabitants. There must have been a larger population when St. Pedro was erected in the 11th century. The portal of San Pedro is very interesting. On the outer archivolt sits a kind of medieval orchestra. The musicians could be related to the "Elders of the Apocalypse", but they lack the usual attributes (perfume bottles, crowns...).

Today Miñón de Santibáñez has less than 20 inhabitants. There must have been a larger population when St. Pedro was erected in the 11th century. The portal of San Pedro is very interesting. On the outer archivolt sits a kind of medieval orchestra. The musicians could be related to the "Elders of the Apocalypse", but they lack the usual attributes (perfume bottles, crowns...).

The church, dedicated to Saint-Jean-Baptiste, dates from the 12th century, but got remodelled and rebuilt later. The Romanesque western facade did survive the time. The large face is probably a spolia, as there are a couple around the church. Above are carved heads. One head belongs to a donkey playing panflute. Most medieval donkeys play the harp, this one is a specialist.

Milan is the city capital of the Lombardy and the second most populous city in Italy after Rome. Known during Roman times as "Mediolanum" it was the place, where in 313 Constantine I and Licinius met and "signed" the "Edict of Milan", giving Christianity a legal status within the Roman empire. At the end of the Roman empire Milan was besieged by the Visigoths in 402, looted by the Huns in 452, and taken by the Ostrogoths in 539. Only 30 years later is belonged to the Kingdom of the Lombards, until in 774 Charlemagne defeated the Langobards and added Milan to the Carolingian empire. During Barbarossa´s (Frederik I) "Italian Campaigns" Milan was taken and destroyed to a great extent. Milan came back and flourished, when in 1386 the construction of the cathedral began, the Basilica di San Lorenzo had survived about a 1000 years! It was built between the late 4th and early 5th centuries. Some scholars connect it to (Arian!) bishop Auxentius (355-372) others to Flavius Stilicho (359 – 408) a powerful "magister militum" in the Roman army and close relative of Thedodosius I. Desasters like fires and earthquakes have hitten the Basilica different times, but it got rebuilt, renovated, reconstructed and of course altered may times. Today the Basilica di San Lorenzo is a "complex" of churches and chapels. The central structure is a squarish tetraconch with four apses, one in each direction. The chapels radiate from the ambulatory. The octagonal Cappella di Sant'Aquilino dates back to the 5th century (some scholars date it to the 4th. c.). It features some very interesting Paleochristian mosaics, reminding stronly on the Byzantine mosaics in Ravenna (eg San Vitale, Sant’Apollinare Nuovo). . This mosaic is rather destroyed, but still seen a pastoral scene with shepherds and sheep. Above a "chariot of fire". This could be connected to Elijah - or Christ. A more detailed view. The relaxed shepherd holds a panflute, while the horses of the chariot are seen against the golden heaven.

The Jaca Cathedral is one of the oldest of the Iberian peninsula, dating back to the 1070s. The building, that was altered many times later, was commissioned by King Sancho Ramírez, who established an episcopal seat in Jaca, then the capital of the Kingdom of Aragon. The Romanesque cathedral was completed around 1130. In 1395 a blaze destroyed large parts of the cathedral. The ceiling had to be reconstructed in the following decades and got renovated in the 16th century, when the aisles were added and the nave got enlarged. The cloister, adjoining the cathedral hosts the "Museo Diocesano de Jaca". Here is the museum´s website: www.diocesisdejaca.org/index.php/museo-diocesano-de-jaca I had once admired the capital depicting "King David and his musicians" on the southern porch of the cathedral. This porch was added to the structure later, "reusing" capitals that probably had been before part of a Romanesque cloister. I did not know at that time, that I saw a copy. This is the original, a masterpiece of the Master of Jaca. King David, is accompanied by an orchestra of 11 musicians, playing different instruments. This is a close up the left side, where 5 of the 11 musicians are gathered. On the right is a flautist (pan flute) and a below him is a hornist. The musician to the left holds a string instrument, probably a small lute. The instrument below him will be better seen on the following upload.

The Jaca Cathedral is one of the oldest of the Iberian peninsula, dating back to the 1070s. The building, that was altered many times later, was commissioned by King Sancho Ramírez, who established an episcopal seat in Jaca, then the capital of the Kingdom of Aragon. The Romanesque cathedral was completed around 1130. In 1395 a blaze destroyed large parts of the cathedral. The ceiling had to be reconstructed in the following decades and got renovated in the 16th century, when the aisles were added and the nave got enlarged. The cloister, adjoining the cathedral hosts the "Museo Diocesano de Jaca". Here is the museum´s website: www.diocesisdejaca.org/index.php/museo-diocesano-de-jaca I had once admired the capital depicting "King David and his musicians" on the southern porch of the cathedral. This porch was added to the structure later, "reusing" capitals that probably had been before part of a Romanesque cloister. I did not know at that time, that I saw a copy. This is the original, a masterpiece of the Master of Jaca. King David, is accompanied by an orchestra of 11 musicians, playing different instruments. This is the left side, where 5 of the 11 musicians are gathered.

The remarkable parish church in the village of Iguerande was constructed late 11th century. It is dedicated to Saint Marcel and belonged to Cluny since 1088 via the nearby priory of Marcigny. A nice, sturdy church. Pretty intact and known for some mysterious carvings. This is the most mysterious and probably most photographed capital in Saint Marcel. It´s all about music. - There is a two persons playing a duet. - Let me start with the left musician, who is just looking around the corner. A little monkey / ape plays the harp. Well, that is not that extraordinary. Lots of animals can be found playing instruments on medieval carvings: Though mostly donkeys play the harp - with the hoofs. On the right out of the floral volute dangles - a pumkin. The pumpkin has one central eye on his forehead - and plays the panflute! He holds the flute with his nicely carved hands. Is this the return of the cannibalistic Polyphemus, one of the cyclops, whom Odysseus met already? Did Polyphem play the panflute in the story, told by Homer? I remember, that he did drink very strong wine - and fall asleep... Maybe this a cutout from a nightmare, the carver had, after a couple of very strong wines. I have no clue, but it is - fantastic!!