Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Murbach

The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The abbey prospered, got pretty wealthy and gained some political importance. Even Charlemagne hold the title of a laic "abbot of Murbach for three years. This good times ended in 936, when the Hungarians invaded the Alsace and destroyed the abbey. The abbey recovered over the next centuries, but ended, after the benedictian rule was given up, as a collegiate for a nobel clientel in the 18th century, existing up to the French Revolution. The abbey-church, constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The three original naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a (then very trendy) baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church of the village, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all still existing are the transept and the choir. The vaulting of the choir. Light floods in through the six windows.

The church of the former Murbach Abbey was constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Léger. The naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all that left is the transept - and the choir. The place of the former naves, behind the facade, is a cemetery today. Inside -looking to the choir. The two rows of windows (totalling 6 windows) is pretty uncommon for this time. Seen behind the pulpit is an old sarcophag containing the relics of the seven martyrs, local monks killed by the Hungarians, when they raided the abbey in 926.

The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The abbey prospered, got pretty wealthy and gained some political importance. Even Charlemagne hold the title of a laic "abbot of Murbach for three years. This good times ended in 936, when the Hungarians invaded the Alsace and destroyed the abbey. The abbey recovered over the next centuries, but ended, after the benedictian rule was given up, as a collegiate for a nobel clientel in the 18th century, existing up to the French Revolution. The abbey-church, constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The three original naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a (then very trendy) baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church of the village, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all still existing are the transept and the choir. There are many very artistic carvings. I uploaded photos of earlier visits, so now I´ll only add, what was left out so far. This is the second mystic strange carving on the southern tower, about the relationship between humans and animals. This one is even more mysterious. Two goats and a hanged man. The beam of the gallow is rather long, probably this was a "public gallow". A few of these gallows still exist. Here is one in Germany: www.flickr.com/photos/gummiteufelchen/3360089792/ The hands of the hanged man are obviously enchained behind his back, his neck is broken, the face is horiziontal. His life has definitely ended. Are the two goats on his sides trying to cut him off the gallow? Are they climbing up? Or are the two goats dancing and playing with the corpse? Or are the two goats delegates of the devil, who is very often connected to goats (and even often has goat feet). Then the goats are trying to carry the poor soul - to hell. "Hang down you head......poor boy you are bound to die"

The church of the former Murbach Abbey was constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Léger. The naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all that left is the transept - and the choir. The place of the former naves, behind the facade, is a cemetery today. The facade is impressive. The choir is "flat", following architecural traditions from Cluny and Hirsau. Some of the carvings are artistic and pretty extraordenary. The tympanum over the left entrance seems brandnew, perfectly produced by a modern CNC-machine. That is the look, but it is more than 800 years old and of course handmade! Well, there is a repaired crack on the right, but the carving itself is perfect. Two rows of nearly identical leaves as a base, vines and grapes all around the semicircle - and then two lions, guarding the door below. The right one shows the tongue. Maybe this tympanum lacks a bit of the creativity, other carvings have show, but the workmanship is absolutely perfect. Chapeau!

The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The abbey prospered, got pretty wealthy and gained some political importance. Even Charlemagne hold the title of a laic "abbot of Murbach for three years. This good times ended in 936, when the Hungarians invaded the Alsace and destroyed the abbey. The abbey recovered over the next centuries, but ended, after the benedictian rule was given up, as a collegiate for a nobel clientel in the 18th century, existing up to the French Revolution. The abbey-church, constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The three original naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a (then very trendy) baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church of the village, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all still existing are the transept and the choir. There are many very artistic carvings. I uploaded photos of earlier visits, so now I´ll only add, what was left out so far. One of two very mystic carvings on the southern tower, about the relationship between humans and animals. Hare and hunter. On the left the hare. Either the hare is holding a very long snake (then a large part of this is weathered), or the hare is using a wind instrument. It is not an early saxopohone, as that was invented by Mr. Sax a couple of centuries later. Let say, the hare is triumphing over the hunter by blowing that horn. The hunter is lying (probably dead) on the ground. The horn used for giving hunting signals is still around his neck. It may be - as well - that this is not a horn, but a trap. That would mean the hunter is trapped - by the hare! I have seen some two hare vs hunter stories before this one. In Conque hares barbecue a hunter: www.flickr.com/photos/jaufre-rudel/2970803661/ In Koenigslutter hares enchain a hunter: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/4306849868/

The church of the former Murbach Abbey was constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Léger. The naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all that left is the transept - and the choir. The place of the former naves, behind the facade, is a cemetery today. The facade is impressive. The choir is "flat", following architecural traditions from Cluny and Hirsau. Some of the carvings are artistic and pretty extraordenary. Quoting well known and respected expert Tina Negus "M of B's are typified by a central figure, with flanking beasts which are controlled or submissive", this is the by far the most abstract "Master of the Beasts" I have ever seen. The master does not have a body. The master is just a head on a pillar. This is a "radical" artistic idea. Compared to that are the two two submissive lions pretty "normal".

The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The abbey prospered, got pretty wealthy and gained some political importance. Even Charlemagne hold the title of a laic "abbot of Murbach for three years. This good times ended in 936, when the Hungarians invaded the Alsace and destroyed the abbey. The abbey recovered over the next centuries, but ended, after the benedictian rule was given up, as a collegiate for a nobel clientel in the 18th century, existing up to the French Revolution. The abbey-church, constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The three original naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a (then very trendy) baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church of the village, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all still existing are the transept and the choir. There are many very artistic carvings. I uploaded photos of earlier visits, so now I´ll only add, what was left out so far. A head over one of the arches on the left tower. Obviously the collegue of the guy, whose head is over the neighbouring arch. As well - pretty sober. Just the head. Again there are these bulging eyes, so probably this is done by the same master carver, as the other more elaborated ones. While the collegue´s head, seen on the last photo, belonged to a corpulent person, this one seems to be more skinny. And, as most heads so far had a certain unique style in beards or hairdos, this one got a strange cut. According to mens-haircuts.net this is a kind of "Dolph Lundgren Flat Top". Talking about actors, the face and the haircut remind me - a bit - on Stan Laurel. While the corpulent guy next to him...

The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The abbey prospered, got pretty wealthy and gained some political importance. Even Charlemagne hold the title of a laic "abbot of Murbach for three years. This good times ended in 936, when the Hungarians invaded the Alsace and destroyed the abbey. The abbey recovered over the next centuries, but ended, after the benedictian rule was given up, as a collegiate for a nobel clientel in the 18th century, existing up to the French Revolution. The abbey-church, constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The three original naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a (then very trendy) baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church of the village, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all still existing are the transept and the choir. There are many very artistic carvings. I uploaded photos of earlier visits, so now I´ll only add, what was left out so far. A head over one of the arches on the left tower. Pretty sober. Just the head. Again there are these bulging eyes, so probably this is done by the same master carver, as the other more elaborated ones. Most heads so far had a certain unique style in beards or hairdos. I have the impression, this guy wears a headband. See the next photo - and meet his collegue..

The church of the former Murbach Abbey was constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Léger. The naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all that left is the transept - and the choir. The place of the former naves, behind the facade, is a cemetery today. The facade is impressive. The choir is "flat", following architecural traditions from Cluny and Hirsau. Some of the carvings are artistic and pretty extraordenary. The heads of real giants are used here as bases for the columns. The two "big-heads" are staring over the brink down onto the visitor. The eye-balls are bulged out - and they will follow all moves on the ground. They will keep an eye on you. For sure. Be cautious. Little higher is a relief of a very different face with a pretty receding hairline. An egghead? Anyway, he has a long, plaited beard.

The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The abbey prospered, got pretty wealthy and gained some political importance. Even Charlemagne hold the title of a laic "abbot of Murbach for three years. This good times ended in 936, when the Hungarians invaded the Alsace and destroyed the abbey. The abbey recovered over the next centuries, but ended, after the benedictian rule was given up, as a collegiate for a nobel clientel in the 18th century, existing up to the French Revolution. The abbey-church, constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The three original naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a (then very trendy) baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church of the village, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all still existing are the transept and the choir. There are many very artistic carvings. I uploaded photos of earlier visits, so now I´ll only add, what was left out so far. A head as the base for one of the pillars of the arcade-gallery. All heads of the gallery are carved probably by one master carver. All faces have these very specific eyes (often bulging out). This head is carved from a reddish sandstone. Again a "strong" gesture. Both hands up to the head. A gesture of surprise, maybe even of scare. It often translates to OMG ("Oh My God"). If this gesture is corresponds to that of the carved neighbour (cuckoo!), then this guy is just surprised, that the onlooker is such a stupid.

The church of the former Murbach Abbey was constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all that left is the transept - and the choir. The place of the former naves, behind the facade, is a cemetery today. The facade is impressive. The choir is "flat", following architecural traditions from Cluny and Hirsau. Some of the carvings are artistic and pretty extraordenary. Up in the triangel are two carving depicting the "Holy Communion" and the "Sacrament of Penance". Below that are a number of arches. The capitels of the pillars are interesting, but not that special, but some of the bases are. This is the most "vibrant" of all the carvings seen in Murbach, from the same artist, whose work we saw before already. Here are two heads. The larger one in front consists out of a dynamique triangle. Here is not even a try to carve a "realistic" head. The head seen here can be compared to the sculptures european artists did in the early 20th century. There is a momentum of fast move, the lips and the chin are not centered under the nose, but "follow" this move of the head and seem to swing upwards. The sculpture juts out of the wall, and instead of a shoulder, the carver created a second, smaller head here. A bearded sober looking man, showing his teeth.

The church of the former Murbach Abbey was constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all that left is the transept - and the choir. The place of the former naves, behind the facade, is a cemetery today. The facade is impressive. The choir is "flat", following architecural traditions from Cluny and Hirsau. Some of the carvings are pretty extraordenary. Up in the triangel are two carving depicting the "Holy Communion" and the "Sacrament of Penance". below that trangel are a number of arches. The capitels of the pillars are interesting, but not that special, but some of the bases are very special. Here is a base, forming a kind of hat, under which a face is visible with really bulging eyes. The face seems to be very easy, very "graphical", like taken from a drawing. The left eye seems round, the right is more an ellipse. And he is chewing something.....He is clearly staring from above at the visitors, standing below him on the ground. Maybe he will - spit..

The church of the former Murbach Abbey was constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all that left is the transept - and the choir. The place of the former naves, behind the facade, is a cemetery today. The facade is really impressive. The choir is "flat", following architecural traditions from Cluny and Hirsau. Some of the carvings are artistic and pretty extraordenary. This craving is high in the trangel under the roof. A top position. A priest (?), sitting comfortably, is listening to a man on his knees, who holds a rope, that even runs around his neck. Robert Will in "Alsace romane" (Éditions Zodiaque) interprets this as a confession. A little devil on the shoulder of the confessing man tries to hinder him, by pulling that rope. The priest has the typical posture of somebody hearing a confession. I agree with Robert Will´s interpretation, that this carving depicts the "Sacrament of Penance", but have the impression, seeing the other carvings here, that this carving was originally produced for another place. Unfortunately this photo is - pretty blurry. Sorry!

The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The abbey prospered, got pretty wealthy and gained some political importance. Even Charlemagne hold the title of a laic "abbot of Murbach for three years. This good times ended in 936, when the Hungarians invaded the Alsace and destroyed the abbey. The abbey recovered over the next centuries, but ended, after the benedictian rule was given up, as a collegiate for a nobel clientel in the 18th century, existing up to the French Revolution. The abbey-church, constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The three original naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a (then very trendy) baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church of the village, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all left - and seen here - is the transept and the choir. The place of the former naves, behind the impressive facade, is a cemetery today.

When I visited the Murbach abbey last year, I noticed a "Loretto Chapel" nearby. The chapel was placed on a hill, opposite the abbey, but I did not walk up to the chapel. Later I realized, that the by far best "photo-spot" of the abbey must be near the chapel. So when I returned, I walked up to the chapel. Probably hundreds of Loretto Chapels still exist worldwide, all created after the original "casa santa", which is inside the basilica in Loreto, Italy. This "Holy House" is a major place of pilgrimage since the 14th century, as it was believed, that this was the house, where Mary was born and brought up. Legends tell, that angels carried the house through the air from Nazareth to Italy (with a little stopover in Croatia). Historians could trace the "casa santa" back to the time of the cruisades - and even found out, that a family with the family name "Angeli" is connected to the early times of the shrine. Sitting on the benches seen here, you´ll have a breathtaking view - and immidiatly prepare your camera...

The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The abbey prospered, got pretty wealthy and gained some political importance. Even Charlemagne hold the title of a laic "abbot of Murbach for three years. This good times ended in 936, when the Hungarians invaded the Alsace and destroyed the abbey. The abbey recovered over the next centuries, but ended, after the benedictian rule was given up, as a collegiate for a nobel clientel in the 18th century, existing up to the French Revolution. The abbey-church, constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The three original naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a (then trendy) baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church of the village, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all left is the transept - and the choir. The place of the former naves, behind the impressive facade, is a cemetery today. The facade, seen here, is really impressive. The choir is "flat", following traditions from Cluny and Hirsau in the Black Forest. The carvings are very artistic and pretty extraordenary, though they seem to be a kind of "wild" collection.