Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Via Domitia

Just about 12 kms north of Arles was an "interchange" during Roman times, as the Via Aurelia Domitia linked to the Via Aurelia here. Centuries later a chapel was erected near this once important place, first recorded in 858. This was the predecessor of the chapel seen today, built end of the 12th century. It is surrounded by olive trees and was watched over by a fortified castle on the hill. While the fortification is in ruins, the chapel, dedicated to Saint Gabriel, is still in a good condition. I had been here before, but as the chapel is always locked, I had never been inside. Talking to the archeologists it came out, that they had the key to the front door - and so I had a chance to get inside. Compared to the elaborate carvings of the western facade, the single nave and the choir of the chapel are straight and simple. Facing east to the choir.

Just about 12 kms north of Arles was an "interchange" during Roman times, as the Via Aurelia Domitia linked to the Via Aurelia here. Centuries later a chapel was erected near this once important place, first recorded in 858. This was the predecessor of the chapel seen today, built end of the 12th century. It is surrounded by olive trees and was watched over by a fortified castle on the hill. While the fortification is in ruins, the chapel, dedicated to Saint Gabriel, is still in a good condition. Compared to the carving at the oculus and the ornaments around, the tympanum just like the relief above, seems to be created in a very different, "archaic" style. Maybe pre-Romanesque. My first impression was, that it is older than this chapel, a re-used spolia, but I could not find any information about. Seen on the right "Adam and Eve", to the left (short-legged) "Daniel in the Lion´s Den. Above them an angel. When I had closer look I saw, that Daniel is not alone in the den (with the lions), as Habakkuk has arrived. Habakuk is placed behind the right lion. He his bringing a small basket with food. The angel hold Habakkuk by his hair. Note, that the angel´s and a few feathers of his left wing are visible below the horizontal beam. Apocrypha 14 "Now the prophet Habakkuk was in Judea. He had boiled pottage and had broken bread into a bowl, and was going into the field to take it to the reapers. But the angel of the Lord said to Habakkuk, "Take the dinner which you have to Babylon, to Daniel, in the lions' den." Habakkuk said, "Sir, I have never seen Babylon, and I know nothing about the den." Then the angel of the Lord took him by the crown of his head, and lifted him by his hair and set him down in Babylon, right over the den, with the rushing sound of the wind itself."

Just about 12 kms north of Arles was an "interchange" during Roman times, as the Via Aurelia Domitia linked to the Via Aurelia here. Centuries later a chapel was erected near this once important place, first recorded in 858. This was the predecessor of the chapel seen today, built end of the 12th century. It is surrounded by olive trees and was watched over by a fortified castle on the hill. While the fortification is in ruins, the chapel, dedicated to Saint Gabriel, is still in a good condition. Compared to the carving at the oculus and the ornaments around, this relief seems rough. It is carved in a very different, "archaic" style. Maybe pre-Romanesque. My first impression was, that it is older than this chapel, a re-used spolia, but I could not find any information about. Even the two archeolgists working nearby did not know anything about, as they concentrated on much older remains in the ground. Seen is the "Annunciation" and the "Visitation". The "Angelic Salutation" and the names of the three characters seen are written in stone - just above the relief. AVE MARIA GRA(TIA) PLENA D(OMI)N(U)S TECU(M) ANGELUS GABRIHEL S(ANCTA) MARIA MATERD(OMI)NI ELISABETH

Just about 12 kms north of Arles was an "interchange" during Roman times, as the Via Aurelia Domitia linked to the Via Aurelia here. Centuries later a chapel was erected near this once important place, first recorded in 858. This was the predecessor of the chapel seen today, built end of the 12th century. It is surrounded by olive trees and was watched over by a fortified castle on the hill. While the fortification is in ruins, the chapel, dedicated to Saint Gabriel, is still in a good condition. The western portal is built like a Roman aedicula with Corinthian columns and seems inspired by the many Roman buildings, that still existed within the 12th century. There are two interesting Romanesque reliefs seen here.

Just about 12 kms north of Arles was an "interchange" during Roman times, as the Via Aurelia Domitia linked to the Via Aurelia here. Centuries later a chapel was erected near this once important place, first recorded in 858. This was the predecessor of the chapel seen today, built end of the 12th century. It is surrounded by olive trees and was watched over by a fortified castle on the hill. While the fortification is in ruins, the chapel, dedicated to Saint Gabriel, is still in a good condition. The "oculus" under the gable of the western facade. - A subtle, very detailed carving and an impressing tetramorph. Only the head of the eagle got lost. Very different carvings styles and technics can be found at the Saint-Gabriel chapel. The master, who created this part was very "advanced" compared to his collegues.

Just about 12 kms north of Arles was an "interchange" during Roman times, as the Via Aurelia Domitia linked to the Via Aurelia here. Centuries later a chapel was erected near this once important place, first recorded in 858. This was the predecessor of the chapel seen today, built end of the 12th century. It is surrounded by olive trees and was watched over by a fortified castle on the hill. While the fortification is in ruins, the chapel, dedicated to Saint Gabriel, is still in a good condition. I was lucky to meet two archeologists there.

An arch of a Roman bridge crossing the Vidourle near Villetelle. Built within the 1. century BC - and once consisting out of upto eleven arches, this bridge was part of the Via Domitia linking Italy and Spain. The ruins of the Roman Oppidum of Ambrussum are being excavated currently. When Gustave Courbet painted this bridge in 1857, two arches were left. The second one got lost in a flooding 1933 - so this is the last.