Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: tympan

A legends tells, that Charlemagne personally founded a first monastery here, but there are so many places, who claim that... A small monastery existed here within the 9th century. As it was built close to the river Saalach, it was dedicated Saint Zeno, an early Christian Bishop of Verona and a patron saint against floods. In 1136 Konrad I von Abensberg, Archbishop of Salzburg, established Augustinian Canons here, well equipped with income from the salt (= hall) that was produced here. The construction of the three-nave-basilica took 80 years, it got consecrated in 1228. With a length of 80 meters, this was a huge structure. The church burnt down in 1512. When it got rebuilt, many Gothic elements were added (vaulting). Another fire destroyed great part in 1789, just before the monastery got secularized in 1803. Since then this is a parish church. There is an important cloister here, that even has a carving depicting Frederick I (Barbarossa). If you plan to visit Bad Reichenhall, inquire at the Tourist Office about it the opening hours. As the cloister now is part of a school, it is open for tourists only once or twice a week for an hour or two. I could not wait that long.. - The western portal from 1228 fortunately survived all fires and modernisations. Protected by a narthex, it is still on place and only little damaged.

A legend tells, that Charlemagne personally founded a first monastery here, but there are so many places, who claim that... A small monastery existed here within the 9th century. As it was built close to the river Saalach, it was dedicated Saint Zeno, an early Christian Bishop of Verona and a patron saint against floods. In 1136 Konrad I von Abensberg, Archbishop of Salzburg, established Augustinian Canons here, well equipped with income from the salt (= hall) that was produced here. The construction of the three-nave-basilica took 80 years, it got consecrated in 1228. With a length of 80 meters, this was a huge structure. The church burnt down in 1512. When it got rebuilt, many Gothic elements were added (vaulting). Another fire destroyed great part in 1789, just before the monastery got secularized in 1803. Since then this is a parish church. There is an important cloister here, that even has a carving depicting Frederick I (Barbarossa). If you plan to visit Bad Reichenhall, inquire at the Tourist Office about it the opening hours. As the cloister now is part of a school, it is open for tourists only once or twice a week for an hour or two. I could not wait that long.. - The western portal from 1228 fortunately survived all fires and modernisations. Protected by a narthex, it is still on place and only little damaged. The damage seen, was not caused by vandalism, but by a stroke of lightning The lintel and the tympanum of the Romanesque portal. Madonna and Child n the center. Mary, seated on a throne, is holding the child on her knees with the left arm, while her the right hand holds an apple (?). They are flanked by St. Zeno (left) and St. Rupert (right). As these saints both had been bishops, both hold a crosiers. Around the group are arcades, which are encircled by stars (in black circles), sun and moon. In the first archivolt above (and out of symmetry) an Agnus Dei. The lintel below, carved in a different style, depicts tendrils, populated with mythic animals. The artistic style od these carvings is extraordenary, kind of soft and nothing similar can be found in the region. The artists were probably contractors from Northern Italy. Unfortunately this shot is pretty blurry. Sorry. I should go to Bad Reichenhall again - with a tripod.

Tassilo III, Duke of Bavaria, had founded a monastery in 782 on Herrenchiemsee, but mid of the 9th century the nuns moved to smaller island Frauenchimsee, where Louis the German, son of Louis the Pious and so Charlemagne´s grandson had founded a nunnery. His daughter Irmgard (of Chiemsee) was the first Abbess here in 857. Irmgard died in 866 and got beatified in 1928. During the Hungarian raids of the 10th century, the monastery got looted and severely damaged. The convent recovered and the buildings got repaired or rebuilt. Here is abbey church, a three-nave-basilica, erected probably after the Hungarian invasion, on Carolingian foundations within the 11th or 12th century. The building stayed unchanged to 15th century, when Gothic and later Baroque elements were added. The architecture of the Romanesque portal is pretty unique. Gottfried Weber ("Die Romanik in Oberbayern") dates the "frame" into the 12th century, while the tympanum may be older. So this carvings may have been part of the Carolingian church. Here is the tympanum. It has an "archaic style" (G. Weber). It is obvious, that the carver who did the archivolt had a higher artistic ability than the creator of the tympanum.

Tassilo III, Duke of Bavaria, had founded a monastery in 782 on Herrenchiemsee, but mid of the 9th century the nuns moved to smaller island Frauenchimsee, where Louis the German, son of Louis the Pious and so Charlemagne´s grandson had founded a nunnery. His daughter Irmgard (of Chiemsee) was the first Abbess here in 857. Irmgard died in 866 and got beatified in 1928. During the Hungarian raids of the 10th century, the monastery got looted and severely damaged. The convent recovered and the buildings got repaired or rebuilt. Here is abbey church, a three-nave-basilica, erected probably after the Hungarian invasion, on Carolingian foundations within the 11th or 12th century. The building stayed unchanged to 15th century, when Gothic and later Baroque elements were added. The architecture of the Romanesque portal is pretty unique. Gottfried Weber ("Die Romanik in Oberbayern") dates the "frame" into the 12th century, while the tympanum may be older. So this carving may have been a part of the Carolingian church. But nothing is really sure. The sign to the left tells the visitor, it is not allowed to take shots inside the church. That is sure!,

The Romans have been here -on the banks of the Danube- for about 400 years. When they withdrew a group of Bavarii settled here, lead by a person named Strupo. Accordingly the settlement was called Strupinga - and today is Straubing. The market place, seen before is about 500 meters east n the "new town", the old center was here, all around the Carolingian predecessor of the church of St. Peter, seen here. St. Peter, built around 1200, is a Romanesque basilica. Since ceturies the church is surrounded by an old graveyard. The structure of the church looks very "complete", what is the result of the reconstruction of the 19th century. Upto then the towers were not finished - and the higher one was decorated with a Baroque onion dome since about 1700. Fortunately the Romanesque carvings of St. Peter have survived the times of modernisation. Carvings like this tympanum of the southern portal, which is a side portal to the basilica. A lion to the right battles a beast, that may be a dragon with some griffin-genes.Do they really fight? Or does the lion just pose to the onlooker - while the dragon licks the lion´s ear.

The Romans have been here -on the banks of the Danube- for about 400 years. When they withdrew a group of Bavarii settled here, lead by a person named Strupo. Accordingly the settlement was called Strupinga - and today is Straubing. The market place, seen before is about 500 meters east n the "new town", the old center was here, all around the Carolingian predecessor of the church of St. Peter, seen here. St. Peter, built around 1200, is a Romanesque basilica. Since ceturies the church is surrounded by an old graveyard. The structure of the church looks very "complete", what is the result of the reconstruction of the 19th century. Upto then the towers were not finished - and the higher one was decorated with a Baroque onion dome since about 1700. Fortunately the Romanesque carvings of St. Peter have survived the times of modernisation. Carvigs like this one on the western portal, which is a side portal to the basilica. Two beasts battle on the tympanum. A more detailled upload of the carving comes next.

The Romans have been here -on the banks of the Danube- for about 400 years. When they withdrew a group of Bavarii settled here, lead by a person named Strupo. Accordingly the settlement was called Strupinga - and today is Straubing. The market place, seen before is about 500 meters east n the "new town", the old center was here, all around the Carolingian predecessor of the church of St. Peter, seen here. St. Peter, built around 1200, is a Romanesque basilica. Since ceturies the church is surrounded by an old graveyard. The structure of the church looks very "complete", what is the result of the reconstruction of the 19th century. Upto then the towers were not finished - and the higher one was decorated with a Baroque onion dome since about 1700. Fortunately the carvings of St. Peter have survived the times of modernisation. Carvings like this tympanum of the western portal, the main portal to the basilica. The Romanesque carvings of this portal, probably created by the same artist, who carved the southern one, caught my interest some time ago and so I did the detour to Straubing.

The church St. Ulrich in Altenstadt (now part of Wissembourg) was built over the ruins of a roman temple within the 11th/12th century. Here the portal with it´s tympanon and lintel. The tympanon depicts an "Agnus Dei" carved into a yellowish stone. The reddish lintel below is rough, but very delicate. There are seven medaillons. The hand of God in the middle, two sheep ( = Peter and Paul) on the sides. Followed by complex symmetrical floral ornaments and kind of carolingian knots - on both sides. All seven medaillons are embedded into a floral layout. Robert Will in "Alsace romane" (Zodiaque) describes this as a kind of carved "embroidery". Well, actually he believes that the "master" of this carving was a coptic (!) embroidery. The inscription on top of the lintel is cryptic. Before entering this church Luithard, abbot in Wissembourg 1002 - 1023, should be asked, - but this church never belonged to the abbey. It was a parish church from the very beginning.

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 carvings) remained. Hildegard´s famous grandson Frederick I Barbarossa funded the construction of this new church, that was the center of a benedictine monastery, affiliated to the abbey St. Foy in Conques. The painting seen on the tympanum, is modern (better relatively recent), but the archivolts around and the carvings below and on the sides, depicting angels, griffons and dragons are from the 12th century.

Richardis, wife of Charles III (aka "Charles the Fat") and so "Holy Roman Empress", founded the abbey in Andlau ca 880. Later she lived here (as the abbess). She was known for her piety and so she was canonised, when Pope Leo IX paid a visit to the abbey in 1049. Looking to the former main entrance of Saints-Pierre-et-Paul. Left and right to the doors are two sets of carvings showing strange, phantastic animals in floral surroundings. Next left and right are two (atlas like) persons on the ground, holding up five medaillons on each side, showing couples. Some of them have names on the frames. The lintel shows the biblical Paradis. All is crowned by tympanum with three large figures, flanked by tree-ornaments and two other smaller reliefed characters. I will not upload all the details, but some.

Richardis, wife of Charles III (aka "Charles the Fat") and so "Holy Roman Empress", founded the abbey in Andlau ca 880. Later she lived here (as the abbess). She was known for her piety and so she was canonised, when Pope Leo IX paid a visit to the abbey in 1049. The very left scne on the lintel over the door and below the tympanum of Saints-Pierre-et-Paul. Genesis 2.21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; Genesis 2.22 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; Actually seen here is, that the small Eve is rising out of the body of the sleeping Adam on a gesture of the Lord, who stands to the left. The gate to the right leads into the Garden of Eden - and the next episode.

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 construction of the church Saint-Léger (= Leodegar, Ludger) in Guebwiller started in 1182 and took about 100 years. The building, built from red local sandstone, is pretty huge and the style is between late romanesque and early gothic. An interesting point I found is, that the architects of this church obviously spent a lot of time in Rosheim, studying the church Saints-Pierre-et-Paul, that is only about 30 years older. The tympanum depicts three persons. Jesus in the middle, having a large cross-nimbus, holding the bible in his left hand, while his right hand forms the blessing gesture. Exactly this liturgical gesture was introduced by Pope Innocent III (1198-1216). The thumb and the stretched middlefinger and forefinger stand for the Trinity, while the two bent fingers symbolize the divine and human natures of Christ. The person to the right has a plain nimbus. If this would be St. Leodegar, he would probably hold a sword, as he is a martyr, but the person holds a script roll (?) and probably is one of the four evangelists. The person sitting to the right has no nimbus - but a crown. He holds in his hands a flower, that obviously is the fleur-de-lys, symbol of all french kings. The construction of the church started 1182 and took about 100 years. Considering, that the liturgical gesture came from Pope Innocence ( 1216) and it took some time to travel to Guebwiller, I think this is either: Philip II of France (aka "Philippe Auguste") ruled 1180 - 1223. He was one of the most important medieval kings. He battled the House of Plantagenet (Richard Lionheart, John Lackland). By beating Otto IV (Battle of Bouvines 1214) he paved the way for Frederick II, from the House of Hohenstaufen. or: Louis IX of France (aka "Saint Louis"), ruled 1226-1270: He was grandson of Philip II and as well one of the very important french kings. He went on two cruisade, made peace with the House of Plantagenet - and was known for his pious life. He was canonized 1297. It is interesting to see, that the fleur-de-lys here is shown by a french king, while only some decades earlier in Rosheim (90kms north) this symbol forms the end of a dragon´s tail. A dragon coming straight from hell. www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/5803279737/ Capetian influence here - influence of the House of Welf there.

The construction of the church Saint-Léger (= Leodegar, Ludger) in Guebwiller started in 1182 and took about 100 years. The building, built from red local sandstone, is pretty huge and the style is between late romanesque and early gothic. I have the impression, that the architects of this church obviously spent a lot of time in Rosheim, studying the church Saints-Pierre-et-Paul, that is only about 30 years older. There are two heads, carrying the lintel under the tympanum. This is the right one. The carver was not one of the really genius masters working in the Alsace during that time. The face seems a bit "uninspired". The type of beard is strange but very unique. Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As the beholders liked that stylish beard, the carver gave another sculpture the same beard: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/5488204737/in/set-72...

The construction of the church Saint-Léger (= Leodegar, Ludger) in Guebwiller started in 1182 and took about 100 years. The building, built from red local sandstone, is pretty huge and the style is between late romanesque and early gothic. I have the impression, that the architects of this church obviously spent a lot of time in Rosheim, studying the church Saints-Pierre-et-Paul, that is only about 30 years older. A capital of one of the six pillars at the main portal, depicts pigeons. Very symetrical.

The construction of the church Saint-Léger (= Leodegar, Ludger) in Guebwiller started in 1182 and took about 100 years. The building, built from red local sandstone, is pretty huge and the style is between late romanesque and early gothic. The most interesting point I found is, that the architects of this church obviously spent a lot of time in Rosheim, studying the church Saints-Pierre-et-Paul, that is only about 30 years older. There are details in Rosheim, copied here. But the masters working here, never reached the elegant style seen in Rosheim. The main portal under the arches of the westwork like façade. The pillars are very well and delicately carved, as well as the wall behind, covered with geometrical floral patterns. But the heads under the lintel - and the tympanum itself seem a bit clumsy. There is a very small face on top of the archivolts. Is this a self-portait of the carver?

Founded by the Romans around 30 BC as "Augusta Treverorum", Trier claims (just like Xanten, Cologne, Worms, Speyer...) to be the oldest existing German city. Trier, the center of a diocese already within the 3rd century, was destroyed by the Alemanni (275), rebuilt under Constantine the Great, who resided in "Augusta Treverorum". Under his the reign Maximin of Trier (329–346), the fifth Bishop here, started the construction of an giant ecclesial ensemble with four basilicas and a baptisterium. This was done on the foundations of a Roman settlement - and had a floorplan about 4 times larger than the Cathedral of today. The buildings, ruined by the Franks, got rebuilt and destroyed again by the Vikings (Normans) in 882. In 977 Emperor Otto II installed his senior official Egbert of Trier as Bishop, what did not prevent Egbert from supporting Otto´s rival Henry II (Henry the Wrangler) for some time. Egbert started a building process, that reused lots of the ruined structures, incl. Roman walls and pillars. The result can be seen today. The Cathedral of Trier is believed to be the oldest church in Germany. Built next to the cathedral is the "Liebfrauenkirche", an early Gothic rotunda, used by the cathedral chapter. The door, seen here, connected the two buildings. When French troops occupied Trier after the French Revolution it was decided by the political authorities, to cut the Liebrauenkirche out of the diocesan entity. So this passage was bricked up. In 1959, when the "Holy Robe" was exhibited and about 1.7 million pilgrims flocked to Trier, this passage got re opend and now has a wooden door.

Not much is known about St. Peter, just 2kms north of the Reichenbach Monastery ("Kloster Reichenbach"). Heselbach was a property of the priory and the small church, with this elaborate poartal, was probably built by the monks end of the 12th century. In the center of the lintel, between the symbols of the four evangelists, the Lamb of God ("Agnus Dei"). The tympan depicts God, crowned and holding a cross as a scept in his left hand, while his right is in a blessing gesture. Below this hand is a person rising from the ground. Probably the Last Judgement.