Kaysersberg - Église de Sainte Croix

The name "Kaysersberg" translates to "mountain of the emperor". It was Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, who had this this place fortified to secure a (Roman) road leading from the Rhine Valley Lorraine.

Just after the emperor "invested" here, the construction of the church began. But it took centuries to complete it. The romanesque portal seen here is dated around 1230, it is one of very few structures out of the early time of "Sainte Croix".

This is the capital of the middle pillar on the right side of the portal. It is composed by two mermen (I do not think, that they are maids) and heads. Between the two heads on the left is fleur-de-lys, what -at first sight- is a surprise, as Frederick II was from the House of Hohenstaufen.