Martin M. Miles' photos

Corsica is not only the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean, it is as well the most mountainous island in the Mediterranean. It is like a uge mountain in the sea, as mountains comprise two-thirds of the island . Monte Cinto is the highest peak at 2,706 m, but around 120 other summits reach of more than 2,000 m. The Col de Bavella is a mountain pass (1218 metres) crossing the Bavella range. Many hiking trails start at the parking lot here, some lead to the "Aiguilles de Bavella", a line of rocky spikes of red granite.

Corsica is not only the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean, it is as well the most mountainous island in the Mediterranean. It is like a uge mountain in the sea, as mountains comprise two-thirds of the island . Monte Cinto is the highest peak at 2,706 m, but around 120 other summits reach of more than 2,000 m. The Col de Bavella is a mountain pass (1218 metres) crosses the Bavella range. Located next to the pass is the "Notre Dame des Neiges", the patron saint of the area. Since 1955 a yearly pilgrimage takes place in August. The pilgrims obviously lit thousands of candles and so left many small, coloured plastic containers behind.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came, just like neighbouring Sardinia, under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1729 the Corsican fight for independence from Genoa began. After 26 years of struggle the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed in 1755, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast have over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates (or sarazens or..) many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. The remains of the old church of Santa Maria Assunta are on a small cemetery in Mela. According to tradition the church was founded in the 9th century, but it got obviously rebuilt rebuilt in the 10th century in Romanesque style. Most of what is seen today dates to the 16th century, when the church got reconsted following the original layout of a single nave church ith a semicircular apse. As it was way out of the village, it was given up in favor of the centrally located St. Peter's Church at the beginning of the 17th century.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came, just like neighbouring Sardinia, under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1729 the Corsican fight for independence from Genoa began. After 26 years of struggle the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed in 1755, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast have over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates (or sarazens or..) many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. The remains of the old church of Santa Maria Assunta are on a small cemetery in Mela. According to tradition the church was founded in the 9th century, but it got obviously rebuilt rebuilt in the 10th century in Romanesque style. Most of what is seen today dates to the 16th century, when the church got reconsted following the original layout of a single nave church ith a semicircular apse. As it was way out of the village, it was given up in favor of the centrally located St. Peter's Church at the beginning of the 17th century.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came, just like neighbouring Sardinia, under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1729 the Corsican fight for independence from Genoa began. After 26 years of struggle the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed in 1755, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the most easy accesable areas near the coast have over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates (or sarazens or..) many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. So are the old churches. This Romesque chapel, built over an older oratory and dedicated to St. Roch, remembers, that in 1345 the plague wiped out an entire village nearby.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came, just like neighbouring Sardinia, under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1729 the Corsican fight for independence from Genoa began. After 26 years of struggle the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed in 1755, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. Sartène, seen in the mist from the local cemetry, was built it on a rocky promontory by the Genoese to protect the inhabitants from invading pirates. Mid of the 16th century ramparts were erected, but despite the "Victory of Lepanto" (1571), barbarian raids continued. So a network of coastal towers responsible for alerting people got planned. The worst attack was undertaken in 1583 by pirates from Algiers after which 400 people were taken into slavery. These attacks continued till the 18th century. Corsica is historically known for "vendettas". One of these blood feuds lasted over decades in and around Sartène between two large families in the first half of the 19th century.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came, just like neighbouring Sardinia, under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1729 the Corsican fight for independence from Genoa began. After 26 years of struggle the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed in 1755, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. The Strait of Bonifacio between the southern tip of Corsica (seen here) and the northern tip of Sardinia is just 12kms wide.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came, just like neighbouring Sardinia, under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1729 the Corsican fight for independence from Genoa began. After 26 years of struggle the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed in 1755, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. The Strait of Bonifacio between the southern tip of Corsica (seen here) and the northern tip of Sardinia is just 12kms wide.

According to a local legend the name Meinerzhagen goes back to an early hermit named Meinhardus, but there is no proof. Meinerzhagen was mentioned first time in 1067 in document in Cologne dealing with the tithes. Around 1220 the late Romanesque three-aisled galleried basilica was built, a style, that is quite unique here, and more common in the Rhineland. The church, in the early days named "Unser liewen Vrowen Kerke tho Meinertzhagen", developed into a pilgrimage church, to which processions came to the miraculous image of the Virgin. During annual processions of the parish, named the holy "Drachten", the image of Virgin Mary was carried through the villages. This pilgrimage finally ended when the Reformation arrived in the 1560s. The whole community got Protestant and the church was named simply called Protestant church and laterm when in 1765 another Protestant churtch was built the "alte Kirche" ("old church"). It was not until 1967, when a second Protestant church was built, that the older one was given the name "Jesus Christ Kirche." This late Romanesque octogonal baptismal was probably thrown away after the Reformation as generation of Catholic christs hade been baptized in it. During works for a well it was found again by chance in 1909.

According to a local legend, the name Meinerzhagen goes back to an early hermit named Meinhardus, but there is no proof. Meinerzhagen was mentioned first time in 1067 in a document in Cologne dealing with the tithes. Around 1220 the late Romanesque three-aisled galleried basilica was built, a style, that is quite unique here, and more common in the Rhineland. The church, in the early days named "Unser liewen Vrowen Kerke tho Meinertzhagen", developed into a pilgrimage church, to which processions came to the miraculous image of the Virgin. During annual processions of the parish, named the holy "Drachten", the image of Virgin Mary was carried through the villages. This pilgrimage finally ended when the Reformation arrived in the 1560s. The whole community got Protestant and the church was named simply called Protestant church and later when in 1765 another Protestant church was built the "alte Kirche" ("old church"). It was not until 1967, when a second Protestant church was built, that the older one was given the name "Jesus Christ Kirche." The flanking galleries of the Romanesque nave have trefoil windows.

According to a local legend the name Meinerzhagen goes back to an early hermit named Meinhardus, but there is no proof. Meinerzhagen was mentioned first time in 1067 in document in Cologne dealing with the tithes. Around 1220 the late Romanesque three-aisled galleried basilica was built, a style, that is quite unique here, and more common in the Rhineland. The church, in the early days named "Unser liewen Vrowen Kerke tho Meinertzhagen", developed into a pilgrimage church, to which processions came to the miraculous image of the Virgin. During annual processions of the parish, named the holy "Drachten", the image of Virgin Mary was carried through the villages. This pilgrimage finally ended when the Reformation arrived in the 1560s. The whole community got Protestant and the church was named simply called Protestant church and laterm when in 1765 another Protestant churtch was built the "alte Kirche" ("old church"). It was not until 1967, when a second Protestant church was built, that the older one was given the name "Jesus Christ Kirche." The Romanesque choir got demolished in 1474. The basilica then got enlarged by a transept and a larger Gothic choir, here seen from the gallery. Meinerzhagen, "Jesus Christ Kirche", "galleried basilica", "gallery basilica", "Unser liewen Vrowen Kerke", Drachten, "Märkischer Kreis", Sauerland, NRW, "Northrhine Westphalia", Deutschland

According to a local legend the name Meinerzhagen goes back to an early hermit named Meinhardus, but there is no proof. Meinerzhagen was mentioned first time in 1067 in document in Cologne dealing with the tithes. Around 1220 the late Romanesque three-aisled galleried basilica was built, a style, that is quite unique here, and more common in the Rhineland. The church, in the early days named "Unser liewen Vrowen Kerke tho Meinertzhagen", developed into a pilgrimage church, to which processions came to the miraculous image of the Virgin. During annual processions of the parish, named the holy "Drachten", the image of Virgin Mary was carried through the villages. This pilgrimage finally ended when the Reformation arrived in the 1560s. The whole community got Protestant and the church was named simply called Protestant church and laterm when in 1765 another Protestant churtch was built the "alte Kirche" ("old church"). It was not until 1967, when a second Protestant church was built, that the older one was given the name "Jesus Christ Kirche." The Romanesque choir got demolished in 1474. The basilica then got enlarged by a transept and a larger Gothic choir.

According to a local legend the name Meinerzhagen goes back to an early hermit named Meinhardus, but there is no proof. Meinerzhagen was mentioned first time in 1067 in document in Cologne dealing with the tithes. Around 1220 the late Romanesque three-aisled galleried basilica was built, a style, that is quite unique here, and more common in the Rhineland. The church, in the early days named "Unser liewen Vrowen Kerke tho Meinertzhagen", developed into a pilgrimage church, to which processions came to the miraculous image of the Virgin. During annual processions of the parish, named the holy "Drachten", the image of Virgin Mary was carried through the villages. This pilgrimage finally ended when the Reformation arrived in the 1560s. The whole community got Protestant and the church was named simply called Protestant church and laterm when in 1765 another Protestant churtch was built the "alte Kirche" ("old church"). It was not until 1967, when a second Protestant church was built, that the older one was given the name "Jesus Christ Kirche." The Romanesque choir got replaced by a Gothic one in 15th century. In 1797 the church got severely damaged by fire, so the massive tower was rebuilt from 1816 on.

Meinerdingen, just like the nearby villages of Tieferdingen and Meinerdingen, belongs to Walsrode today, known the Walsrode Abbey founded by Count Walo within the 10th century - and the World’s largest bird park. The Walsrode Abbey was mentioned first time in 896, St. Georg in Meinerdingen is mentioned in a document from 1269, as the former mentioned monastery was donated this area, after a nobleman´s daugther was admitted to the convent. The erection of the church started mid 12th century in Romaneque style, but got enlarged and redesign in Gothic style about a century later. A dendrochronological investigation proved, that the tower was built around 1380.

Meinerdingen, just like the nearby villages of Tieferdingen and Meinerdingen, belongs to Walsrode today, known the Walsrode Abbey founded by Count Walo within the 10th century - and the World’s largest bird park. The Walsrode Abbey was mentioned first time in 896, St. Georg in Meinerdingen is mentioned in a document from 1269, as the former mentioned monastery was donated this area, after a nobleman´s daugther was admitted to the convent. The erection of the church started mid 12th century in Romaneque style, but got enlarged and redesign in Gothic style about a century later. A dendrochronological investigation proved, that the tower was built around 1380. Meinerdingen, Honerdingen, Walsrode, "Abteil Walsrode", "Stift Walsrode", "Walsrode Abbey", "Lüneburger Heide", "Lüneburg Heath", Niedersachsen, "Lower Saxony", Germany, Deutschland

Bispingen is a small town. Including the small hamlets around there is a population of about 6500. Bispingen is located in the center of the "Lüneburger Heide" (Lüneburg Heath), a large nature reserve of heath, geest and woodland. Over centuries this was a poor area, where "Heidschnucken" a local breed of sheep were held, a kind of forgotten hinterland between Hannover and Hamburg. Meanwhile due to the unique landscape this is a popular tourist destination. The "Ole Kerk" (old church) was the first church erected here from boulders in 1353. Ole Kerk [de] ("Old Church") dating to 1353, made from boulders. The church was commissioned by the Bishop of Verden. The name "Bispingen" derives fom "Biscopingen", what translates to "belonging to the Bishop". The "Ole Kerk", was the center of the "Kirchspiel" (parish), where all people from the surrounding hamlets met to pray on a sunday. It grew too small end of the 19th century , so St. Antonius was built in 1908 just about 200 metres apart. The "Ole Kerk" was the place where once all people from the surounding hamlets met to pray on a sunday. It got renovated in the 1970s and is now used for weddings and concerts. It is a very quiet, magic spot. The nave, seen from the gallery.

Bispingen is a small town with (including the small hamlets around) has a population of about 6500. Bispingen is located in the center of the "Lüneburger Heide" (Lüneburg Heath), a large nature reserve of heath, geest and woodland. Over centuries this was a poor area, where "Heidschnucken" a local breed of sheep were held, a kind of forgotten hinterland between Hannover and Hamburg. Meanwhile due to the unique landscape this is a popular tourist destination. The "Ole Kerk" (old church) was the first church erected here from boulders in 1353. Ole Kerk [de] ("Old Church") dating to 1353, made from boulders. The church was commissioned by the Bishop of Verden. The name "Bispingen" derives fom "Biscopingen", what translates to "belonging to the Bishop". The "Ole Kerk", was the center of the "Kirchspiel" (parish), where all people from the surrounding hamlets met to pray on a sunday. It grew too small end of the 19th century , so St. Antonius was built in 1908 just about 200 metres apart. The "Ole Kerk" was the place where once all people from the surounding hamlets met to pray on a sunday. It got renovated in the 1970s and is now used for weddings and concerts. It is a very quiet, magic spot.

Bispingen is a small town with (including the small hamlets around) has a population of about 6500. Bispingen is located in the center of the "Lüneburger Heide" (Lüneburg Heath), a large nature reserve of heath, geest and woodland. Over centuries this was a poor area, where "Heidschnucken" a local breed of sheep were held, a kind of forgotten hinterland between Hannover and Hamburg. Meanwhile due to the unique landscape this is a popular tourist destination. The "Ole Kerk" (old church) was the first church erected here from boulders in 1353. Ole Kerk [de] ("Old Church") dating to 1353, made from boulders. The church was commissioned by the Bishop of Verden. The name "Bispingen" derives fom "Biscopingen", what translates to "belonging to the Bishop". The "Ole Kerk", was the center of the "Kirchspiel" (parish), where all people from the surrounding hamlets met to pray on a sunday. It grew too small end of the 19th century , so St. Antonius was built in 1908 just about 200 metres apart. The "Ole Kerk" was the place where once all people from the surounding hamlets met to pray on a sunday. It got renovated in the 1970s and is now used for weddings and concerts. It is a very quiet, magic spot.