Vienne (86) and Deux-Sèvres (79)

The tower, seen in the background, belongs to "Vetus Pictavis" (aka "Vieux Poitiers"), a Gallo-Roman city, partly excavated by archaeologists. It was founded near the confluence of the rivers Clain and Vienne within the 1. century.

The ruins of the semicircular theatre of "Vetus Pictavis" (aka "Vieux Poitiers"), a Gallo-Roman city, partly excavated by archaeologists. It was founded near the confluence of the rivers Clain and Vienne within the 1. century. The theater had a seating capacity of 10.000. The chemin ("Via Turonensis") is clearly marked - and turns left here.

The skyline of Poitiers, seen from north, is not very "romantic". I reached the historic center, saw "Notre-Dame la Grande" and met the friendly lady at the "Tourist Office", who stamped by "credencial", about two hours later.

I am not sure, wether Buxerolles is a northern suburb of Poitiers - or an independent commune. Anyway these two pilgrims welcomed me at the first of Buxerolles´ roundabouts.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. I have visited Poitiers a couple of times - and spent hours in front of this church. Now, for the first (and probably last time) I had walked to Poitiers. As it was already late afternoon, I decided to stay an extra-day here, as there are more places Poitiers, that I wanted to visit. Notre-Dame la Grande marks the end of my walk, that I had started in Paris in 2014, for now. I hope to continue to Saintes or Pons later this year. Ultreïa!

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. I have visited Poitiers a couple of times - and spent hours in front of this church. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin".

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed within the 11th century. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. It got enlarged by two spans (and a fantastic facade) within the first half of the 12th century, but the largest part of the nave is 11th century. Here is a statue of the Virgin, holding the keys of the town. This statue was carved end of the 16th century, and tradition says that this is a copy of the miraculous statue, destroyed by the Huguenots in 1562. The story behind is, that in year 1202, the English besieged Poitiers. The mayor's clerk made a deal with the English and promised to deliver the city´s keys to them in exchange for a large sum of money. When the clerk tried to steal the keys at night time, they had disappeared. The mayor as well realized that the keys had disappeared. He was alarmed, fearing treason, and went to the church to request a miracle. There he discovered the statue of the Virgin hold the keys. Soon after the English troops fled, frightened by the appearances of the Virgin, Saint Hilary and Saint Radegunda. The legend may not be very precise, as in 1202, Poitou formed a part of the English duchy of Aquitaine, under the reigns of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

On the ruins of a older basilica begann, just next to the Baptistère Saint-Jean the construction of large Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in 1162. The building, the new the seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers, was greatly funded by Henry II of England (aka "Henri II Plantagenêt") and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The construction started as usual in the east and was completed with the western facade, seen here, end of the 13th century. The massive flanking towers were added to the structure about two centuries later. The transition from the late Romanesque to the Gothic style is visible - and the western facade seems influenced by the Gothic cathedrals from northern France (eg Laon, Sens, Senlis, Paris..).

On the ruins of a older basilica begann, just next to the Baptistère Saint-Jean the construction of large Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in 1162. The building, the new the seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers, was greatly funded by Henry II of England (aka "Henri II Plantagenêt") and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The construction started as usual in the east and was completed with the western facade, seen here, end of the 13th century. The transition from the late Romanesque to the Gothic style is visible. The three Gothic portals of the western facade seem influenced by the Gothic cathedrals from northern France (eg Laon, Sens, Senlis, Paris..).

On the ruins of an older basilica begann, just next to the Baptistère Saint-Jean the construction of large Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in 1162. The building, the new the seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers, was greatly funded by Henry II of England (aka "Henri II Plantagenêt") and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The construction started as usual in the east and was completed with the western facade end of the 13th century. The transition from the late Romanesque to the Gothic style is visible. The three Gothic portals of the western facade seem influenced by the Gothic cathedrals from northern France. The tympanum of the left portal depicts the Coronation of Mary. This can often be found on Gothic facades of that time. The first coronation was carved around 1150 in Senlis.

On the ruins of a older basilica begann, just next to the Baptistère Saint-Jean the construction of large Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in 1162. The building, the new the seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers, was greatly funded by Henry II of England (aka "Henri II Plantagenêt") and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The construction started as usual in the east and was completed with the western facade end of the 13th century. The transition from the late Romanesque to the Gothic style is visible. The three Gothic portals of the western facade seem influenced by the Gothic cathedrals from northern France. The tympanum of the central portal depicts the "Last Judgment", a "traditional" theme, as this can often found on Romanesque tympana. The tympanum is densely populated and delicately carved. Tombs open on the lowest tier, while above them souls go to heaven (left) or enter the "Mouth of Hell" (right). Christ is flanked by angels, who hold the "Arma Christi". The icon "Instruments of the Passion" got popular during the 13th century.

On the ruins of a older basilica begann, just next to the Baptistère Saint-Jean the construction of large Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in 1162. The building, the new the seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers, was greatly funded by Henry II of England (aka "Henri II Plantagenêt") and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The construction started as usual in the east and was completed with the western facade end of the 13th century. The transition from the late Romanesque to the Gothic style is visible. The three Gothic portals of the western facade seem influenced by the Gothic cathedrals from northern France. Saint Thomas is in the center of the right portal´s tympanum. The "Doubting Thomas" following John 20:24-29 "But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

On the ruins of a older basilica begann, just next to the Baptistère Saint-Jean the construction of large Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in 1162. The building, the new the seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers, was greatly funded by Henry II of England (aka "Henri II Plantagenêt") and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The construction started as usual in the east and was completed with the western facade end of the 13th century. The transition from the late Romanesque to the Gothic style is visible. The cathedral is a hall church with nave and side aisles of approximately equal height. The church is about 100 meters long - and 27 meters high.

On the ruins of a older basilica begann, just next to the Baptistère Saint-Jean the construction of large Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in 1162. The building, the new the seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers, was greatly funded by Henry II of England (aka "Henri II Plantagenêt") and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The construction started as usual in the east and was completed with the western facade end of the 13th century. The cathedral is best known for the wonderful stained glass windows. The three windows around the choir date back to the 12th century and may be the oldest in France. The central window, seen here, is very large (8,35ms x 3,10ms). The crucifixion is in the center, above the scene of the Ascension, witnessed by the apostles. Below the crucifixion is the martyrdom of Saint Peter (cross) and Saint Paul (sword). These is watched by Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, being placed at the very bottom. Unfortunately from this pov only their heads can be seen.

On the ruins of a older basilica begann, just next to the Baptistère Saint-Jean the construction of large Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in 1162. The building, the new the seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers, was greatly funded by Henry II of England (aka "Henri II Plantagenêt") and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The construction started as usual in the east and was completed with the western facade end of the 13th century. The cathedral is best known for the wonderful stained glass windows. The three windows around the choir date back to the 12th century and may be the oldest in France. The central window (previous upload) is very large (8,35ms x 3,10ms). The crucifixion, seen here, is in the center of this window.

On the ruins of a older basilica begann, just next to the Baptistère Saint-Jean the construction of large Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in 1162. The building, the new the seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers, was greatly funded by Henry II of England (aka "Henri II Plantagenêt") and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The construction started as usual in the east and was completed with the western facade end of the 13th century. The cathedral is best known for the wonderful stained glass windows. The three windows around the choir date back to the 12th century and may be the oldest in France. The central window (previous upload) is very large (8,35ms x 3,10ms). A crucifixion scene is in the center of this window. The Ascension fills the top part of the window.

On the ruins of a older basilica begann, just next to the Baptistère Saint-Jean the construction of large Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in 1162. The building, the new the seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers, was greatly funded by Henry II of England (aka "Henri II Plantagenêt") and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The construction started as usual in the east and was completed with the western facade end of the 13th century. The cathedral is best known for the wonderful stained glass windows. The three windows around the choir date back to the 12th century and may be the oldest in France. The central window (previous uploads) is very large (8,35ms x 3,10ms). A crucifixion scene is in the center of this window, the Ascension is seen above the crucifixion. Here is, what is seen below. The top tier has the empty tomb (with two sleeping soldiers), the angel waiting to the left and the three "Myrrhbearers" approaching from the the right. Matthew 28:1 "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb." The center tier has (left) "NERO IMPERAT(OR)" with a blue devil on his shoulder. He just sentences to death: "STS PETRUS" gets crucified upside down and (right) blindfolded "STS PAULUS" gets decapitated. Under the head of Saint Peter the sponsors of this church "Henry II of England" and "Eleanor of Aquitaine" watch the scenes. I cannot read all the words there, but the the restaurators from 188x left their "signature".

On the ruins of a older basilica begann, just next to the Baptistère Saint-Jean the construction of large Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in 1162. The building, the new the seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers, was greatly funded by Henry II of England (aka "Henri II Plantagenêt") and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The construction started as usual in the east and was completed with the western facade end of the 13th century. The cathedral is best known for the wonderful stained glass windows. The three windows around the choir date back to the 12th century and may be the oldest in France. The windows of the eastern part of the nave may be some decades younger. so they will be created in the early 13th century. I will upload some details of them. Here is the pentecostal scene. Acts 2:1 - 2:4 "When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak."