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Le tympan du Jugement Dernier
fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbatiale_Sainte-Foy_de_Conques
Une vidéo des illuminations nocturnes du tympan
www.tourisme-conques.fr/fr/conques/tympan
Toutes les explications sur les inscriptions et leur organisation
www.art-roman-conques.fr/inscriptions.html
profshistoirelcl.canalblog.com/archives/2011/01/06/200765...
This is one of the two churches in the parish where I am one of the clergy. As we are not having regular services in church at the moment because of the lockdown, I am producing a pre-recorded video service using different locations and with different members of the congregation doing different sections of the service. I nearly always do a few timelapse sequences for opening credits, and as it was an unusually clear evening here yesterday, I thought a 20 minute timelapse of the skies darkening after sunset might work well if switched on all the lights inside the church.
It did work well, and I took a still shot before and after the timelapse. This was the 'before' shot. It doesn't have the interest of having Orion rising through the trees of the later one, but the post-sunset glow gives a particularly attractive cast to the light on the tower.
It was REALLY cold when I took these, at least by our standards; several degrees below freezing with a strong wind. Putting the bare metal of the tripod away, after half an hour of both the tripod and I being wind chilled, was agonising.
St Mary’s Church in the Wiltshire market town of Devizes (pop. 15,500) was built in the 12th century to serve the new borough of Devizes, outside the castle area, which was served by nearby St John's. All that remains of the early church is the chancel, there being nothing dateable in the rest of the church earlier than the 13th or 14th century. There were radical alterations to the church structure in the 15th century when the walls were heightened, the south porch increased to two storeys with a stair turret and windows, buttresses and roofs replaced and renewed. The west tower was built against the nave. There were changes here during the Reformation including the removal of the rood screen in 1561. The church remained largely unchanged then until the 1850s when there was a restoration, the church was repewed and a vestry built.
By the 1890s cracks were beginning to appear in the walls of the tower and these were repaired in 1897-8. The church is of dressed stone with a chancel, an aisled and clerestoried nave with a south porch and west tower. In the chancel there is a dole table, probably of the 15th century. During the Civil War lead was taken from the roof to manufacture bullets. The church, sharing a common incumbent with St John’s since its 12th Century origins, has not held regular Sunday services since 2006 although at least one weekly midweek service takes place there.
The Covered Stairway in Sighișoara is a wooden structure built in the 17th century. It has 175 steps and leads to the Church on the Hill. Originally designed to protect schoolchildren and churchgoers from harsh weather. A historic and architectural landmark.
photo rights reserved by Ben
The David Gareja Monastery complex lies in a remote and isolated part of the rugged, semi-desert landscape of eastern Georgia, near the border with Azerbaijan. The surroundings are marked by dry hills, barren plains, and steep rock formations — far removed from any village or town. This very secluded location enhances the spiritual atmosphere of the site, which has served for centuries as a retreat for monks seeking to withdraw from the world. The monastery was founded in the 6th century by the Syrian monk David Garejeli and is partially carved into the soft sandstone cliffs. On the left side of the photo, you can see the dramatic, sloping rock wall with carved cells, chapels, and caves that once served as living and prayer quarters for the monks. Some of them are still adorned with delicate, centuries-old frescoes. On the right, the fortified walls and round watchtowers can be seen — silent witnesses to the monastery’s defensive function throughout history. In the center, a green, open courtyard connects nature and architecture in a harmonious way. Beyond its historical and architectural value, David Gareja is still a living religious site. Today, it is home to Georgian Orthodox monks who lead a modest, secluded life devoted to prayer, study, and the maintenance of the monastery. Their presence reminds us that David Gareja is not merely a ruin, but an active spiritual community. Their daily routines continue almost undisturbed — in silence, in stone, and in harmony with the land. During our visit, we were the only visitors, allowing us to explore the entire site in complete peace. From the monastery, there is a breathtaking view over the silent, endless semi-desert plains — a place of stillness, reflection, and mysticism.
Hidden in Georgia’s remote semi-desert near the Azerbaijani border, the David Gareja Monastery is a centuries-old complex carved into sandstone cliffs. Still home to Orthodox monks, it blends ancient history with quiet spiritual life. Surrounded by stark, rugged landscapes, the site offers solitude, breathtaking views, and a deep sense of timelessness.
Het David Gareja-kloostercomplex ligt afgelegen en geïsoleerd in het ruige, halfwoestijnachtige landschap van Oost-Georgië, vlak bij de grens met Azerbeidzjan. De omgeving wordt gekenmerkt door droge heuvels, kale vlaktes en steile rotspartijen — ver verwijderd van dorpen of steden. Juist deze verlaten ligging versterkt de spirituele sfeer van de plek, die eeuwenlang een toevluchtsoord is geweest voor monniken die zich wilden terugtrekken uit de wereld. Het klooster werd in de 6e eeuw gesticht door de Syrische monnik David Garejeli en is deels uitgehouwen in de zachte zandsteenrotsen. Links op de foto zie je de spectaculaire, schuin oplopende rotswand, vol uitgehouwen cellen, kapellen en grotten die ooit dienden als woon- en gebedsruimten voor monniken. Sommige zijn nog versierd met verfijnde, eeuwenoude fresco’s. Rechts zijn de versterkte muren en ronde wachttorens zichtbaar — stille getuigen van de verdedigingsfunctie die het complex door de eeuwen heen ook heeft vervuld. In het midden ligt een groen, open binnenplein dat op harmonieuze wijze natuur en architectuur met elkaar verbindt. Naast zijn historische en architectonische waarde is David Gareja nog altijd een levendige religieuze plek. Er wonen vandaag de dag nog steeds Georgisch-Orthodoxe monniken, die er een teruggetrokken en sober leven leiden, toegewijd aan gebed, studie en het onderhoud van het klooster. Hun aanwezigheid onderstreept dat David Gareja geen verlaten ruïne is, maar een actieve spirituele gemeenschap. Hun dagelijkse rituelen gaan haast ongestoord verder — in stilte, in steen, en in verbondenheid met de natuur. Tijdens ons bezoek waren we de enige bezoekers, wat het mogelijk maakte het hele terrein in volledige rust te verkennen. Vanaf het klooster strekt zich een adembenemend uitzicht uit over de stille, eindeloze semi-woestijnvlakten — een plek van verstilling, bezinning en mystiek.
Coming home from Foxton Locks yesterday afternoon we cut through the village of Great Bowden in order to avoid the traffic. The late afternoon sun was illuminating the west tower and its stubby little spire, and I pulled in to take this picture.
The Grade I-listed Church of St Peter & St Paul overlooks the village green in Great Bowden, which is adjacent to Market Harborough. The oldest parts of the church date from the late 13th century, while the tower dates from the late 14th century.
The Basilica of Saint Sabina, 432 AD, Rome. Italy.
The large high window openings show the skill of Roman constructors.
The 13th Century gavit, an entrance hall of sort of super-narthex, at the Monastery-Cathedral of St John the Baptist at Hovhannavank, 45 minutes drive from Yerevan.
There was a wooden church here as early as the 4th Century, but the current building consists of a 5th Century basilica on the north (not visible in this shot), now used as a chapel for personal prayer, and a 13th Century cathedral through the door just below centre of shot.
The cupola of the main church has been damaged twice times in earthquakes - in 1679 and 1919, rebuilt both times, and the building suffered further damage in the 1988 earthquake which is a central event in shaping contemporary Armenia.
It is in good condition now and there is an active conservation programme.
I was only sorry I didn't have time - I was on the way to Evensong - to get the tripod and ND filter out with these clouds. This is perhaps the most obviously photogenic exterior shot of Tewkesbury Abbey, from a little way to the ecclesiastical north-west in the Abbey grounds.
The Abbey Church of St Mary the Virgin, Tewkesbury – commonly known as Tewkesbury Abbey – is located in the English county of Gloucestershire. A former Benedictine monastery, it is now a parish church. Considered one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Britain, it has the largest Romanesque crossing tower in Europe. Tewkesbury had been a centre for worship since the 7th Century. A priory was established there in the 10th Century. The present building was started in the early 12th Century. It was unsuccessfully used as a sanctuary in the Wars of the Roses. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, it became the parish church for the town. George Gilbert Scott led the Restoration of the building in the late 19th Century.
The churchmanship of the Abbey is strongly Anglo-Catholic.
This description incorporates text from the English Wikipedia.
The house of medieval origin next to the Pharmacy house (Patika-ház) is said to be the oldest Town Hall of Sopron. Sigismund of Luxemburg granted the building to the town of Sopron in 1422 and it served as a town hall until 1496. Following that period noble families possessed the house, which bears the traces of several consecutive architectural styles: a Renaissance arch in the gothic doorway, the rococo window decoration on the first floor, a gothic niche in the doorway and remains of medieval corbels in the courtyard.
Le Zitelle (officially Santa Maria della Presentazione) is a church in Venice, Italy. It is part of a former complex that gave shelter to young maidens ("zitelle" in Italian) who had no dowry, and is in the easternmost part of the Giudecca island.
Generally attributed to Andrea Palladio, the original design dates to 1579–80 and the construction to 1586.
According to local legend, Helfštýn is named after the robber Helfried of Linva, who founded it. The castle was probably built in the last quarter of the 13th century. Around 1320 Vok of Kravař, a member of a prominent Moravian noble family, became the owner of the castle. Helfštýn remained in the possession of the Kravař family for more than a hundred years and underwent far-reaching structural changes during this period. Construction work began on a larger scale in the first half of the 14th century, but the main reconstruction of the castle into a Gothic fortress did not take place until the end of the 14th and the beginning of the 15th century. The Kravařs mainly improved the fortifications of Helfštýn. They replaced the makeshift fortification of the old parkland with a thick stone wall with four bastions, built a prismatic tower over the entrance to the castle itself and secured it with a drawbridge, built a fortified forecourt on the south side and cut the ridge of the hill with a moat carved into the rock.
The era of the Pernštejn family
In 1474, William of Pernštejn took over the castle estate and proceeded to its further reconstruction. In the last quarter of the 15th century,
Helfštýn Castle was enlarged with a thoroughly fortified, extensive farm forecourt (completed in 1480) and another forecourt, which formed a new outpost defending the entire enlarged building. At the same time, the fortifications of the old Kravaře castle were improved with bastions and a new system of towers and gates. The castle's ground plan was definitively given an elongated shape, and in its external form the perfect fortification system significantly overlapped all the other architectural elements.
Renaissance reconstruction
At the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, the inner core of the castle was rebuilt into a Renaissance residence. The old castle palace was demolished, along with part of its original Gothic fortifications, and a magnificent Renaissance palace was built on the vacant space, in sharp contrast to the extensive system of late Gothic fortifications that surrounded it.
The destruction of the castle
In 1656, quite extensive demolition work was carried out, which, although it did not damage the fortifications of Helfštýn too much, definitively deprived it of the character of a manor house. And thus began the long-term destruction of the castle. The destruction was accelerated in the second half of the 18th century by the Ditrichstein family with demolition works. These attempts culminated in 1817, when part of the inner castle was destroyed by artillery fire.
Present day
The present-day character of the castle is that of a fortress with six gates and a series of 18th-century buildings and ramparts. Since the 19th century, the castle has been presented as a tourist and heritage site. Nowadays it has become a natural cultural centre of the region, with various cultural events taking place here throughout the season
Vicars' Close, in Wells, Somerset, England, is claimed to be the oldest purely residential street with original buildings surviving intact in Europe. Dating back to 1340. Beautiful gem of a place.
Sighișoara, Romania, is a well-preserved medieval town. Known for its fortified walls, cobbled streets, and colorful buildings. Birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, inspiration for Dracula. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Important for understanding European urban history.
The Great West Window at Tewkesbury Abbey. The window's superstructure is surprisingly modern, built in 1686 to replace the medieval original, which was blown in by the wind in 1661. The glass, by John Hardman and Company, dates from 1886. It was commissioned by the Rev'd C W Grove in memory of his wife and depicts scenes from the life of Christ.
The Abbey Church of St Mary the Virgin, Tewkesbury – commonly known as Tewkesbury Abbey – is located in the English county of Gloucestershire. A former Benedictine monastery, it is now a parish church. Considered one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Britain, it has the largest Romanesque crossing tower in Europe. Tewkesbury had been a centre for worship since the 7th Century. A priory was established there in the 10th Century. The present building was started in the early 12th Century. It was unsuccessfully used as a sanctuary in the Wars of the Roses. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, it became the parish church for the town. George Gilbert Scott led the Restoration of the building in the late 19th Century.
The churchmanship of the Abbey is strongly Anglo-Catholic.
This description incorporates text from the English Wikipedia.
Igreja Matriz de São Pedro, localizada no centro histórico de Trancoso, no distrito da Guarda. Fundada no século XVI, a igreja, que foi profundamente reformulada nos séculos XVI e XVII, apresenta uma mistura de estilos arquitetónicos, incluindo elementos românicos, manuelinos e barrocos, visíveis na sua fachada e no campanário quadrangular. Em primeiro plano, destaca-se o pelourinho manuelino, erguido no século XVI, que simboliza a autonomia municipal da vila. Este conjunto arquitetónico, que reflete a importância religiosa, administrativa e social de Trancoso, está situado junto ao Castelo e às antigas muralhas medievais, testemunhando o papel relevante da cidade na defesa da fronteira durante a Reconquista cristã e nas guerras com Castela.
São Pedro Church, located in the historic center of Trancoso, in the Guarda district. Founded in the 16th century, the church, which was deeply reformulated in the 16th and 17th centuries, presents a mixture of architectural styles, including Romanesque, Manueline and Baroque elements, visible on its façade and on the square bell tower. In the foreground, the Manueline pillory, erected in the 16th century, symbolizes the municipal autonomy of the village. This architectural ensemble, which reflects the religious, administrative and social importance of Trancoso, is located next to the Castle and the old medieval walls, bearing witness to the relevant role of the city in the defense of the border during the Christian Reconquista and in the wars with Castile.
photo rights reserved by Ben
The David Gareja Monastery complex lies in a remote and isolated part of the rugged, semi-desert landscape of eastern Georgia, near the border with Azerbaijan. The surroundings are marked by dry hills, barren plains, and steep rock formations — far removed from any village or town. This very secluded location enhances the spiritual atmosphere of the site, which has served for centuries as a retreat for monks seeking to withdraw from the world. The monastery was founded in the 6th century by the Syrian monk David Garejeli and is partially carved into the soft sandstone cliffs. On the left side of the photo, you can see the dramatic, sloping rock wall with carved cells, chapels, and caves that once served as living and prayer quarters for the monks. Some of them are still adorned with delicate, centuries-old frescoes. On the right, the fortified walls and round watchtowers can be seen — silent witnesses to the monastery’s defensive function throughout history. In the center, a green, open courtyard connects nature and architecture in a harmonious way. Beyond its historical and architectural value, David Gareja is still a living religious site. Today, it is home to Georgian Orthodox monks who lead a modest, secluded life devoted to prayer, study, and the maintenance of the monastery. Their presence reminds us that David Gareja is not merely a ruin, but an active spiritual community. Their daily routines continue almost undisturbed — in silence, in stone, and in harmony with the land. During our visit, we were the only visitors, allowing us to explore the entire site in complete peace. From the monastery, there is a breathtaking view over the silent, endless semi-desert plains — a place of stillness, reflection, and mysticism.
Hidden in Georgia’s remote semi-desert near the Azerbaijani border, the David Gareja Monastery is a centuries-old complex carved into sandstone cliffs. Still home to Orthodox monks, it blends ancient history with quiet spiritual life. Surrounded by stark, rugged landscapes, the site offers solitude, breathtaking views, and a deep sense of timelessness.
Het David Gareja-kloostercomplex ligt afgelegen en geïsoleerd in het ruige, halfwoestijnachtige landschap van Oost-Georgië, vlak bij de grens met Azerbeidzjan. De omgeving wordt gekenmerkt door droge heuvels, kale vlaktes en steile rotspartijen — ver verwijderd van dorpen of steden. Juist deze verlaten ligging versterkt de spirituele sfeer van de plek, die eeuwenlang een toevluchtsoord is geweest voor monniken die zich wilden terugtrekken uit de wereld. Het klooster werd in de 6e eeuw gesticht door de Syrische monnik David Garejeli en is deels uitgehouwen in de zachte zandsteenrotsen. Links op de foto zie je de spectaculaire, schuin oplopende rotswand, vol uitgehouwen cellen, kapellen en grotten die ooit dienden als woon- en gebedsruimten voor monniken. Sommige zijn nog versierd met verfijnde, eeuwenoude fresco’s. Rechts zijn de versterkte muren en ronde wachttorens zichtbaar — stille getuigen van de verdedigingsfunctie die het complex door de eeuwen heen ook heeft vervuld. In het midden ligt een groen, open binnenplein dat op harmonieuze wijze natuur en architectuur met elkaar verbindt. Naast zijn historische en architectonische waarde is David Gareja nog altijd een levendige religieuze plek. Er wonen vandaag de dag nog steeds Georgisch-Orthodoxe monniken, die er een teruggetrokken en sober leven leiden, toegewijd aan gebed, studie en het onderhoud van het klooster. Hun aanwezigheid onderstreept dat David Gareja geen verlaten ruïne is, maar een actieve spirituele gemeenschap. Hun dagelijkse rituelen gaan haast ongestoord verder — in stilte, in steen, en in verbondenheid met de natuur. Tijdens ons bezoek waren we de enige bezoekers, wat het mogelijk maakte het hele terrein in volledige rust te verkennen. Vanaf het klooster strekt zich een adembenemend uitzicht uit over de stille, eindeloze semi-woestijnvlakten — een plek van verstilling, bezinning en mystiek.
Fronted by a carpet of primroses in early spring, the Church of England parish church of St Peter in the village of Great Cheverell (population 987) is shot here from the east. The chancel, could have been built in substantially its current form as early as the beginning of the 13th Century, and the construction of the chancel with flint and greensand boulders might even suggest a possible 11th Century origin. The nave and towerwere added in the late 14th Century and the tower was raised in height in the 15th Century. There was some Victorian ‘restoration’ in 1868. The church was designated as Grade I listed in 1962. Today the parish is part of the benefice of the Lavingtons, Cheverells, and Easterton.
This description incorporates text from the English Wikipedia and the Wiltshire Council website.
St Thomas of Canterbury Church in the Wiltshire village of Coulston (population 133, 4 miles/6½ km east of Westbury) dates back to the 12th Century. Originally dedicated to Saint Andrew, by the early 19th Century, it was rededicated to Saint Thomas of Canterbury, possibly linked to Thomas Becket or in deference the local Beckett family, who owned land after the Reformation.
The church’s architecture reflects its Norman roots. Built from stone, it features a simple rectangular plan with a nave and chancel. The Norman doorway and thick walls are key elements from the 12th century, showing typical construction of the period with rounded arches and minimal decoration. Later additions include a small bellcote at the west end, likely from the medieval era, and a 19th-century porch. The interior is plain, with a stone font possibly from the original build and wooden pews added later; this was substantially ‘restored’ in 1868 by Richard Gane of Trowbridge.
Serving a village of fewer than 150, the church holds two services a month with around 25 attendees each. It lacks major modern alterations, preserving its historical form. Now part of a larger benefice with nearby parishes including Edington Prioryu, St Thomas of Canterbury stands as a functional relic of Norman design, its architecture offering a clear view of 12th-century rural church building adapted through modest later updates.
Winchester's atmospheric High Street deep into a late winter twilight. On the left, now housing Lloyd's Bank, is the Old Guildhall, which was rebuilt in 1713, including that magnificent clock on its wooden bracket.
On the right, now housing ASK Italian, is God Begot House, a restored 16th Century building with some modern additions but original timbering.
The National Churches Trust describes St Mary's in Potterne as a “an Early English church of exceptional purity and austerity.”
A priest, and land held by the Bishop of Salisbury, was recorded at Potterne in Domesday Book of 1086, and in Victorian times, a 10th Century font was found on the site of the present day Church of England parish church of St Mary. It was built in the 13th century and has survived with little change, beyond work to the tower in the 15th century and restoration by Ewan Christian. Pevsner describes it as, “An Early English parish church of exceptional purity and indeed classicity” and linked this to the Bishops’ ownership of the manor.
The church is cruciform, with a substantial tower over the crossing, and original lancet windows. It is built of rubble stone, with ashlar to the upper tower. The south porch was added in the 14th century, and in the 15th the tower was made higher and given an elaborate battlement. Restoration in 1870–2 included re-roofing and the removal of galleries, and the stained glass is from various dates in that century.
Since the 11th century, the church has been linked to All Saints at West Lavington as tithes from both churches endowed a prebendary at Salisbury Cathedral. From 1967 the benefice was held in plurality with Worton and since 2017 the parish has been part of the Wellsprings benefice, which extends to Seend, Bulkington and Poulshot.
This description incorporates text from the English Wikipedia.
A view from the west of the Grade I listed St Michael and All Angels, the parish church of the village of Urchfont near Devizes in Wiltshire (pop. 1,181).
St Michael and All Angels Church dates from the late 13th century and early 14th century and is a Grade I listed building, with a few interior survivals from an older building on the same site dating to around 1220. The transepts were added in the 14th Century, when the nave was also extended a little further to the west, while the tower was built in the late 15th Century.
Inside, the church has exceptional vaulting, much praised by Pevsner.
photo rights reserved by Ben
High on a narrow mountain ridge, overlooking the endless, rust-colored hills of the Georgian-Azerbaijani borderlands, stands a solitary watchtower. This is the tower of the Natlismtsemeli Monastery, part of the ancient David Gareja complex, founded in the 6th century by the Syrian monk David Garejeli. In the Middle Ages, the monastery was not only a center of faith but also of learning, art, and manuscript production. But its remote location — far from cities and fortified walls — made it vulnerable. The watchtower was built as a lookout to spot approaching danger: raiding forces, Persians, Mongols, or later steppe bandits. Yet it also served to welcome pilgrims arriving via the winding sand tracks that led to the monastery. The road to Natlismtsemeli is far from easy. Narrow, dusty trails snake through the hilly semi-desert, often little more than faint paths worn into the earth. In wet seasons they turn to slippery mud; in summer they dry out into hard-packed, rutted tracks carved by years of footsteps and wheels. For pilgrims and visitors, the journey itself becomes an act of devotion: hours of driving across a barren, unmarked terrain, guided only by the landscape. These roads are passable only by rugged vehicles — or on foot, for those who truly seek the silence. And yet, that difficulty is part of the place’s power. The journey strips away urgency, quiets the mind, and brings the traveler closer to what matters. You don’t arrive here by accident — you come because you are willing to seek, to be silent, and to slow down. Today, the tower is empty. Yet it still keeps watch — not over danger, but over memory. Over the hard, simple life of hermits who chose solitude and prayer. The paths below have grown quiet, but the stones still speak — of faith, endurance, and the truth that even in the most desolate landscapes, meaning endures.
In the remote hills near Georgia’s border with Azerbaijan stands a lone watchtower, once part of the ancient Natlismtsemeli Monastery. Built in the 6th century, the monastery served both as a spiritual center and a refuge. Reaching it means navigating dusty, rugged paths — a journey as demanding as it is meaningful. Though the tower is no longer in use, it remains a silent witness to centuries of faith, solitude, and the quiet strength of those who chose to live far from the world.
Hoog op een smalle bergrug, uitkijkend over de eindeloze, roestkleurige heuvels van de Georgisch-Azerbeidzjaanse grensstreek, staat een eenzame wachttoren. Dit is de toren van het Natlismtsemeli-klooster, onderdeel van het eeuwenoude David Gareja-complex, dat in de 6e eeuw werd gesticht door de Syrische monnik David Garejeli. In de middeleeuwen was het klooster niet alleen een centrum van geloof, maar ook van studie, kunst en manuscriptproductie. Maar deze afgelegen ligging, ver van steden en beschermende muren, maakte het kwetsbaar. De wachttoren werd gebouwd als uitkijkpost om tijdig dreigingen te signaleren: invallen van plunderende troepen, Perzen, Mongolen of later, rovers uit de steppe, maar ook pelgrims verwelkomen die via kronkelende zandwegen hun weg naar het klooster vonden. De weg naar het Natlismtsemeli-klooster is geen gemakkelijke. Smalle, stoffige zandpaden slingeren zich door het heuvelachtige halfwoestijnlandschap, vaak nauwelijks meer dan sporen in de aarde. In regenachtige seizoenen veranderen ze in glibberige modderbanen; in de zomer zijn ze kurkdroog, met diepe sporen uitgesleten door jaren van voetstappen en wielen. Voor pelgrims en bezoekers is de reis ernaartoe al een oefening in toewijding: urenlang rijden over verlaten terrein zonder bewegwijzering, met enkel het landschap als gids. De wegen zijn vaak alleen met een terreinwagen bereikbaar — of te voet, voor wie de stilte écht wil ervaren. Maar juist die moeilijkheid draagt bij aan de kracht van de plek. De reis filtert haast uit het hoofd, brengt de reiziger terug tot het essentiële, en maakt de ontmoeting met het klooster des te intenser. Hierheen kom je niet toevallig — je komt omdat je bereid bent te zoeken, te zwijgen, en te vertragen. Tegenwoordig is de toren verlaten. Toch waakt ze nog steeds — niet langer over gevaar, maar over herinnering. Over het harde, eenvoudige leven van kluizenaars die kozen voor stilte en afzondering. De paden hieronder zijn stil geworden, maar de stenen spreken nog. Over geloof, volharding, en het besef dat zelfs in de leegste landschappen betekenis kan schuilen.
I was surprised to find a church dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a Herefordshire village, of all places. It’s a very rare dedication anywhere in Western Europe; it’s almost as if a church name decided to take a 2,000 km wander over from Ukraine.
The church building is 12th-14th Century, although it fell into a very poor state of repair, and therefore suffered a Victorian restoration in the 1870s.
This church in the village of Madley (pop. 1,200) is said to have been built on what had been a pilgrim site since the 6th Century, as a result of St Dyfrig, founding Bishop of Ergyng, which later became the Diocese of Llandaff, being born here.
This castle overlooking the river Seine at Les Andelys (Eure, Normandy) was built at the end of the 12th century by the English king Richard I the Lionheart who was also duke of Normandy. While technically and architecturally advanced for its time, the castle was far from impregnable, as was proven already in 1204 when the French king Philip August captured it after a long siege. In effect, Château Gaillard would be seized many times over in the Hundred Years War. It gradually fell into ruins and was demolished at the end of the 16th century. The remnant ruins offer one of the most striking views in Normandy though.
© 2022 Marc Haegeman. All Rights Reserved.
Holy Trinity is the only medieval church in Coventry that is still complete and its 72 metre high spire is one of the tallest non-cathedral spires in the UK. Here it is photographed nestled against the east wall of nearby Coventry Cathedral.
The late 15th Century Beauchamp Chapel (pronounced “Beecham”) is dedicated to a then prominent local family who donated chapels in other nearby churches. The corbels are much older, part of the original 12th Century Norman structure; they would once have been on the outside wall of the chancel wall. It was restored, inevitably, by the Victorians – right at the end of the period, in 1902.
St John the Baptist’s in the Wiltshire town of Devizes, dates from 1130 when it was constructed as a chapel to the recently completed castle. It is rumoured that the altar relic at its foundation was a feather from the wing of the Angel Gabriel. The feather has yet to be discovered!
Beauty of faith.
Building of the Royal Parish of Señora Santa Ana, in the Mudejar Gothic style, was built on the orders of King Alfonso X the Wise in what is known as the Triana Quarter. Construction began in 1266. Several refurbishments have occurred since and latest was completed in 1972.
This is a beauty if a church with several naves with various masterful art and stone work, the beauty it's off the beaten path and the volunteers whom work the door are more than happy and kind to give a personal tour,