Carcassonne (Part One).

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.

English: Carcassonne, France.

View of the Mediaeval Citadel and vineyards.

Français: Carcassonne, France, vue de la Cité Médiévale, vignes.

Source: http://www.gnuart.net/data/photo/Harry/Carcassonne/ville_3.zip (zip)

Author: Harry.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The fortified Outer Walls of Carcassonne.

Photo: 25 July 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Bmsgator.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Carcassonne (Occitan: Carcassona), is a fortified French town in the Aude Department, of which it is the Prefecture, in the Region of Languedoc-Roussillon.

Occupied since the Neolithic era, Carcassonne is located in the Aude Plain, between two great axis of circulation linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean sea and the Massif Central to the Pyrénées. Its strategic importance was quickly recognised by the Romans, who occupied its hilltop until the demise of their Western Empire, and was later taken over by the Visigoths in the 5th-Century, who founded the City. Also thriving as a trading post, due to its location, it saw many rulers, who successively built up its fortifications until its military significance was greatly reduced by the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659.

The City is famous for the Cité de Carcassonne, a Mediaeval fortress, restored by the theorist and architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in 1853, and added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997. Consequently, Carcassonne greatly profits from tourism, but also counts manufacture and wine-making as some of its other key economic sectors.

English: Coat-of-Arms of Carcassonne (Languedoc).

Drawn by Manassas, for the Blazon Project of

French-speaking Wikipedia, with Inkscape.

Français: Blason de la commune de fr:Carcassonne (Aude)

dessiné par Manassas pour le Projet Blasons de Wikipédia francophone, avec Inkscape.

Source : oeuvre personnelle - Blasonnement : D'azur semé de fleurs de lys d'or au portail de ville flanqué de deux tours couvertes d'argent, maçonné, ajouré et ouvert de sable, la porte coulissée aussi d'argent surmontée d'un écusson de gueules chargé d'un agneau pascal d'argent à la tête contournée nimbée d'or, portant une bannerette aussi d'argent surchargée d'une croisette du champ.

Date: 30 July 2007.

Source: Own drawing.

Author: Manassas.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Français: Carcassonne (Aude - France), l’ Aude, le vieux pont et la Cité Médievale.

Deutsch: Carcassonne (Aude - Frankreich), die Aude (Fluss),

die Alte Brücke und die mittelalterliche Stadt.

English: Carcassonne (Aude - France). The Aude River, the old bridge and the Mediaeval City.

Español: Carcassonne (Aude - Francia), el Rio Aude, el Puente Viejo y la ciudad medieval.

Photo: 13 June 2004.

Source: Own work.

Author: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Cité de Carcassonne is a Mediaeval Citadel. It is located on a hill on the right bank of the River Aude, in the South-East part of Carcassonne. It was the historic City of Carcassonne and features on the emblem of the local rugby league team, AS Carcassonne.

In 1659, after the Treaty of the Pyrenees, the Province of Roussillon became a part of France, and the town lost its military significance. Fortifications were abandoned and the town became one of the economic centres of France, concentrating on the woollen textile industry. Founded during the Gallo-Roman period, the Citadel derives its reputation from its three kilometres (1.9 miles) double-surrounding-walls, interspersed by fifty-two Towers.

Čeština: Bazilika Saint-Nazaire v Carcassonne.

Français: La basilique de Saint-Nazaire de Carcassonne.

English: Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celsus, Carcassonne.

Español: Basílica de Saint-Nazaire y Saint-Celse, Carcasona.

Photo: 3 July 2006.

Source: Own work.

Author: Harmonia Amanda.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The town has about 2,500 years of history and has seen the Romans,Visigoths, Saracens and Crusaders. At the beginning of its history, it was a Gaulish settlement, then, in the 3rd-Century A.D., the Romans decided to transform it into a fortified town. It was finally annexed to the Kingdom of France in 1247. It provided a strong French frontier between France and the Crown of Aragon.

The Minor Basilica of Saint Nazaire and Saint Celse,

Carcassonne, France.

Date: 4 October 2009.

Source: Carcassonne. Uploaded by russavia

Author: Andy Mitchell from Glasgow, U.K.

(Wikimedia Commons)

PART TWO FOLLOWS

Chester Cathedral's Stained-Glass Windows.

Chester Cathedral's Nativity Window,

in the Chapel of Saint Werburgh,

by Michael O'Connor (1853).

Photo: 24 June 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: Hystfield.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Chancel Window, Chester Cathedral,

by Heaton, Butler and Bayne (1884).

The subject is Jesus, Saviour of the World.

It is a Trinity Window, with the Name of God, the Lamb of God and the Holy Spirit,

represented in the Upper Tracery. The Main Central Light shows God as High Priest,

holding the Infant Jesus. From left to right, the other figures are

Saint Joseph, The Blessed Virgin, Saint Anna and Simeon.

Photo: 24 June 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: Hystfield.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Monreale Cathedral (Part Two).

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.

The Cathedral of Monreale, Sicily, Italy, is one of the greatest extant examples of

Norman architecture in the world. It was begun in 1174 by William II, and in 1182,

the Church, dedicated to The Assumption of The Virgin Mary, was, by a Bull of

Pope Lucius III, elevated to the Rank of a Metropolitan Cathedral.

Illustration: SHUTTERSTOCK

Monreale Cathedral,

Palermo, Sicily.

The outside of the Arab-Norman Cathedral is plain, except the Aisle Walls,

and three Eastern Apses, which are decorated with intersecting Pointed Arches

and other ornaments inlaid in marble.

Photographer: Bernhard J. Scheuvens aka Bjs.

Photo: August 2004.

(Wikimedia Commons)

"Monreale" is a contraction of "Monte-Reale", "Royal Mountain",

so-called from a Palace built there by Roger I of Sicily.

The Church's Plan is a mixture of Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic arrangement. The Nave is like an Italian Basilica, while the large Triple-Apsed Choir is like one of the early Three-Apsed Churches, of which so many examples still exist in Syria and other countries. It is, in fact, like two quite different Churches put together end-wise.

The Basilican Nave is wide, with narrow Aisles. Monolithic Columns of grey oriental granite (except one, which is of cipolin marble), on each side support eight Pointed Arches, much stilted. The Capitals of these (mainly Corinthian) are also of the Classical Period. There is no Triforium, but a high Clerestory with wide Two-Light Windows, with simple Tracery, like those in the Nave-Aisles and throughout the Church, which give sufficient light.

The other half, Eastern in two senses, is both wider and higher than the Nave. It also is divided into a central space with two Aisles, each of the divisions ending at the East with an Apse. The roofs throughout are of open woodwork, very low in Pitch, plain construction, but richly decorated, with colour now mostly restored.

At the West End of the Nave, are two projecting Towers, with a Narthex (Entrance) between them. A large open Atrium, which once existed at the West End, is now completely destroyed, having been replaced by a Renaissance Portico, by Giovanni Domenico and Fazio Gagini (1547–1569).

Monreale Cathedral,

Palermo, Sicily.

The outsides of the principal doorways, and their pointed Arches, are magnificently

enriched with carving and coloured inlay, 

a curious combination of

three styles; Norman-French, Byzantine and Arab.

Photographer: Bernhard J. Scheuvens aka Bjs.

Photo: August 2004.

(Wikimedia Commons)

It is, however, the large extent (6,500 m²) of the impressive glass mosaics covering the Interior which make this Church so splendid. With the exception of a high Dado, made of marble slabs with bands of mosaic between them, the whole Interior surface of the walls, including Soffits and Jambs of all the Arches, is covered with minute mosaic-pictures, in bright colours on a gold ground.

The mosaic pictures are arranged in tiers, divided by horizontal and vertical bands. In parts of the Choir, there are five of these tiers of subjects or single figures, one above another.

The Half-Dome of the Central Apse has a colossal half-length figure of Christ, with a seated Virgin and Child, below. The other Apses have full-length figures of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Inscriptions on each picture explain the subject or Saint represented; these are in Latin, except some few which are in Greek.

The subjects in the Nave begin with scenes from the Book of Genesis, illustrating the Old Testament types of Christ and His scheme of Redemption, with figures of those who prophesied and prepared for His coming. Around the lower tier and the Choir, are subjects from the New Testament, chiefly representing Christ's Miracles and Suffering, with Apostles, Evangelists and other Saints. The design, execution, and choice of subjects, all appear to be of Byzantine origin, the subjects being selected from the Menologion of Basil II, drawn up by the Emperor, Basil II, in the 10th-Century.

Monreale Cathedral's

religious images in the Nave, circa 1200 A.D.

Photo: December 2007.

Author: Jerzy Strzelecki.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The tomb of William I of Sicily (the founder's father), a magnificent porphyry sarcophagus contemporary with the Church, under a marble pillared canopy, and the founder William II's tomb, erected in 1575, were both shattered by a fire, which, in 1811, broke out in the Choir, injuring some of the mosaics, and destroying all the fine walnut Choir-fittings, the organs, and most of the Choir roof. The tombs were rebuilt, and the whole of the injured part of the Church restored a few years after the fire.

On the North of the Choir are the tombs of Margaret of Navarre, wife of William I, and her two sons, Roger and Henry, together with an urn containing the viscera of Saint Louis of France, who died in 1270.

The pavement of the triple Choir, though much restored, is a specimen of marble and porphyry mosaic in opus alexandrinum, with signs of Arab influence in its main lines. The mosaic pavement of the Nave was completed in the 16th-Century, and has discs of porphyry and granite with marble bands intermingled with irregular lines.

Two Baroque Chapels were added in the 17th- and 18th-Centuries, which are shut off from the rest of the Church. The bronze doors of the mosaic-decorated Portal, on the left side, was executed by Barisano da Trani in 1179.

THIS CONCLUDES THE ARTICLE ON MONREALE CATHEDRAL

Chant Of The Templars. Salve Regina.

Chant of The Templars.

Salve Regina.

Available on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/uv_2x6JmuaE.

Monreale Cathedral (Part One).

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,

unless otherwise stated.

The Cathedral of Monreale, Sicily, Italy, is one of the greatest extant examples of

Norman architecture in the world. It was begun in 1174 by William II, and in 1182,

the Church, dedicated to The Assumption of The Virgin Mary, was, by a Bull of

Pope Lucius III, elevated to the Rank of a Metropolitan Cathedral.

Illustration: SHUTTERSTOCK

Monreale Cathedral,

Palermo, Sicily.

Photo: December 2007.

Author: Jerzy Strzelecki.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Christ Pantocrator.

Monreale Cathedral,

Palermo, Sicily.

Photo: 10-11-2007.

Author: Giuseppe ME.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Monreale (Sicilian: Murriali) is a town and Commune in the Province of Palermo, Sicily, Italy,
on the slope of Monte Caputo, overlooking the very fertile valley called "La Conca d'oro" (the Golden Shell), famed for its orange, olive and almond trees, the produce of which is exported in large quantities.

After the occupation of Palermo by the Arabs, the Bishop of Palermo was forced to move his Seat outside the Capital. The rôle of the new Cathedral was assigned to a modest little Church, Aghia Kiriaki, in the village, nearby, which was later called Monreale.

After the Norman Conquest, in 1072, Christians got back the Old City Cathedral. Probably, this rôle, as temporary Ecclesiastical Centre, played a part in King William II's decision to build his famous Cathedral, here.

The town was for long a mere village, and started its expansion when the Norman Kings of Sicily chose the area as their hunting resort, building a palace, here.

English: Cathedral of Monreale, Sicily, Italy. Mosaics of the North side of the nave.

Français: Cathédrale de Monreale, Sicile, Italie. Mosaïques du côté nord de la nef.

Photo: 9 October 2010.

Author: Tango7174.

(Wikimedia Commons)

English: Cathedral of Monreale, Sicily, Italy. Mosaics of the South side of the nave.

Français: Cathédrale de Monreale, Sicile, Italie. Mosaïques du côté sud de la nef.

Photo: 9 October 2010.

Author: Tango7174.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Although not so refined as mosaics in Cefalù and the Palazzo dei Normanni, the Cathedral's Interior nevertheless contains the largest Cycle of Byzantine mosaics extant in Italy.

Under King William II, the large Benedictine Monastery, coming from Cava de' Tirreni, was founded and provided with a large asset. It is noteworthy that the new edifice had also an important defensive rôle. Monreale was the Seat of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Sicily, which. thenceforth. exerted a large influence over Sicily.

The Cloisters,

Monreale Cathedral.

Photo: August 2005.

Author: Urban.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Church is a national monument of Italy and one of the most important attractions of Sicily. The Archi-Episcopal Palace and Monastic buildings,on the South Side, were of great size and magnificence, and were surrounded by a massive Precinct Wall, crowned at intervals by twelve Towers. This has been mostly rebuilt, but little now remains, except ruins, of some of the Towers, a great part of the Monks' Dormitory and Frater, and the splendid Cloisters, completed about 1200.

The Cloisters are well preserved, and are one of the finest Italian Cloisters, both for size and beauty of detail, now extant. It is about 2200 m², with pointed Arches, decorated with diaper work, supported on pairs of Columns in white marble, 216 in all, which were alternately plain and decorated by bands of patterns in gold and colours, made of glass tesserae, arranged either spirally or vertically from end to end of each Shaft.

The marble Capitals are each carved with foliage, biblical scenes and allegories, no two being alike. At one angle, a square pillared projection contains the marble fountain or Monks' Lavatorium, evidently the work of Muslim sculptors.

PART TWO FOLLOWS

Consider The Lilies Of The Field, How They Grow: They Labour Not, Neither Do They Spin. But I Say To You, That Not Even Solomon In All His Glory Was Arrayed As One Of These.

Text from Saint Matthew,
Chapter 6,
Douay-Rheims Version.

Field of Lilies.

Tiffany Studios.

Circa 1910.

Photo: May 2006.

Source: I took this photo at the Richard H. Driehaus Gallery

of Stained Glass, on the Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Author: Daderot.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Behold the birds of the air,

For they neither sow,

Nor do they reap,

Nor gather into barns,

And your heavenly Father feedeth them.

Are not you of much more value than they ?

And which of you by taking thought,

Can add to his stature one cubit ?

And for raiment why are you solicitous ?

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow;

They labour not, neither do they spin.

But I say to you,

That not even Solomon in all his glory,

Was arrayed as one of these.

And if the grass of the field,

Which is today,

And tomorrow is cast into the oven,

God doth so clothe:

How much more you,

O ye of little faith ?

Rosary Rally Of Reparation At The Civic Center, Oklahoma City.

This Article can be found on TFP STUDENT ACTION

Saint Michael The Archangel,

Pray For Us.

Since the Public Black Mass in Oklahoma City has not been cancelled,

we are all invited to join a Prayerful Act of Reparation

in the Public Square, Oklahoma City.

Rosary Rally of Reparation at the Civic Center.

When: Sunday, Sept. 21, at 5:00-7:00 P.M.

Where: Civic Center, 201 N. Walker Ave,

Oklahoma City, OK 73102.

(Couch Dr. & N. Walker Ave.)

You and your family are invited to attend this peaceful gathering.

Your Prayers will console Our Lord and His Blessed Mother. 

Bring your Rosary.

Bring your friends.

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