Belgium - Traveling Thru History

Top Historic Sites in Europe, Part 3

Erin — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 14:00:32 +0000

Welcome to Part 3 of my Top Historic Sites in Europe series! I’m glad you came back to check out some more fantastic sites. So far we’ve done the top historic sites from 20 countries in Parts 1 and 2 and today you’ll get to see 10 more in Part 3! I have really loved learning more about these countries along with the significance of some of their historic sites and I’m so excited to share this with you. With a recorded history going back over 37,000 years, there are just way too many fascinating places to see them all. That’s why I’ve partnered with other travel bloggers to find out which sites are of the most historic and significant importance for each of these countries. I hope you’ll enjoy what we’ve put together today. Belgium – Bruges Market Square and Belfry Bruges (or Brugge) is deservedly one of the most popular cities to visit in Belgium. The city experienced its golden age during the late medieval period, between the 12th and 15th centuries, during which time Bruges was one of the busiest ports in the world. However, when the river channel leading into Bruges began to fill with silt, the city gradually lost its importance, along with much of its population. Soon, all that was left of the city that was once Belgium’s crown jewel were its beautiful medieval buildings. It was these historic buildings that first attracted tourists in the late 19th century, and brought new life back to the city. At the heart of Bruges lie multiple squares, home to the most important buildings of the city, with the largest square being the Markt, or Market Square. Regular markets have been held in this square since the 10th century and are still held to this day. Surrounding the square are impressive guild houses, including the Provincial Palace, the Cloth Hall and towering above all, the Belfry. The Belfry of Bruges is one of the most famous sites in Belgium. Belfries were a type of medieval bell tower used throughout the region of Flanders and the neighboring Duchy of Burgundy in France. Along with tolling the hours and half hours, they also served as a source of civic pride to the cities and towns, separate from the landmarks built by the church and feudal lords. Along with being an important bell tower, the Belfry of Bruges housed the city’s treasury and archives and was used as a watch tower to keep an eye out for fires and other dangers. The Belfry in Bruges dates back to the mid 13th century. It was first built in 1240, but was heavily damaged by a fire in 1280, after which it was rebuilt. Unfortunately, the archives house inside the belfry were destroyed during that same fire. The belfry has stayed mostly the same since it was rebuilt in 1280. An octagonal top was added in the late 1400s along with a wooden spire holding an image of St. Michael holding a banner while standing atop a dragon, this addition was struck by lightning in 1493, which resulted in the destruction of the octagonal top and the belfry’s bells. Another wooden spire was added shortly thereafter, but it, too, was destroyed by fire in 1741. It wasn’t until 1822 that the Gothic stone parapet was added to the top, which has stood, undamaged, ever since. When you visit Market Square, it’s possible to climb to the top of the Belfry of Bruges and take in a magnificent panoramic view of the city. Halfway up you’ll reach the Treasury, which is where the city’s charters, seal and public funds were kept during the Medieval period. And, at the very top, is the chamber for the bells – all 47 of them! Even if you don’t climb the tower, the market square is one of the best places in Bruges to dine out any time of the day, or just settle for a drink, with the square these days lined with restaurants. Or just stop by one of the many gelato shops and relax by the fountain, taking in the beautiful surroundings. Shandos Cleaver is the founder and blogger-in-chief of Travelnuity, a travel blog focused on dog-friendly travel around the world. She’s currently travelling around Europe with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, and shares about their adventures on Facebook. Belarus – Mir Castle Mir Castle is one of the most renowned fortifications in Belarus. Construction on what would eventually become Mir Castle took place during the early 1400s in an area which was then called the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. This private estate remained in the Gedyegoldovish family for roughly 60 years before it fell into the hands of Duke Yury Ilinich. Due to political ambitions and regional hostilities, Duke Ilinich decided to build a fortress castle in what is now called the Belarusian Gothic style. The way Mir Castle was built is unique. The five 25-foot high towers of the castle were planned as independent centers of resistance that were capable of supporting adjacent towers. Each tower was designed so that the towers next to it could deliver flanking fire to increase defensive capabilities. One construction aspect of note is that the tower walls were designed with three layers: the two outside layers are made of brick and stone while the middle layer is made up of small stones and broken bricks. Unfortunately, neither Duke Ilinich nor any member of his family ever saw the completion of Mir Castle. Within 40 years, the entire Ilinich family was gone. Duke Ilinich’s grandson left the Mir Estate to his cousin, Prince Mikolaj Krzysztof Radziwill, in whose family the estate remained for the next three centuries. Prince Radziwill finished construction of Mir Castle by adding two three-story living quarters to the northern and eastern walls of the castle and rebuilt three of the towers. He also added a fortified gate to the entrance. Over the centuries, Mir Castle has gone through multiple periods of grandeur and decay, as well as surviving many conflicts. Several restorations have been done over the years, but it wasn’t until 1922 that a full-scale extensive restoration was undertaken, which took 16 years. Sadly, Mir Castle was taken by the Germans during WWII and used as a ghetto for roughly 800 Jews who lived nearby. After Belarus was liberated by the Allies in July 1944, Mir Castle was used as a refuge for the hundreds of Mir residents whose homes had been destroyed during the war. The last of the families staying in the castle left in 1962 and it once again fell into disrepair. In 1983, another extensive restoration was done on Mir Castle and it was opened to the public on December 16, 2010. Nowadays, Mir Castle is a living museum of history as well as a venue for cultural festivals and events. Mir Castle was one of the highlights of my visit to Belarus. It has a nice lake and park on its territory, which are the most enjoyable during warm months. The entrance to the territory, parks, lake is free. To visit museums inside the castle, you need to get a ticket. One day per month (last Wednesday of the month, as a rule) there is a free entry for everyone. Budget traveler, Eastern European, living with local people in India to explore the country from a different angle! Beyond traveling, Natalia is an events & marketing specialist by day and a blogger at My Trip Hack. Twitter: https://twitter.com/mytriphack Albania – Ruins of Apollonia and the Church of St. Mary Apollonia was founded in 588 BC by Greek colonists and named after the god Apollo (not very original as there were 23 other Apollonias along the Mediterranean coast). This Apollonia was the biggest and most important of them all, with a population of 60,000, a record in ancient times. Over the next 800 years, it became a major port for slaves, agriculture, pottery and asphalt. Due to the slave trade, Apollonia rose to become an important city-state: the city minting its own coins and, in 229 BC, became a Roman Protectorate. Apollonia supported Julius Caesar during the Roman Civil War of the 1st century and was rewarded with the title of “Free City,” meaning it didn’t pay tax to Rome. Under Roman rule, Apollonia also became a major centre of learning. Julius Caesar even sent his nephew Octavius, the future Emperor Augustus, to study here. Unfortunately, an earthquake in the third century changed everything for Apollina. Due to the changed landscape from the earthquake, the course of the Vjosa river changed, causing the harbour to silt up and prevent vessels from entering. This resulted in a major downturn in trade and started the slow decline Apollonia’s importance. Over time, the silted river became a mosquito-ridden swampland, increasing the frequency of malaria outbreaks. Added to this, the social structure of the city was failing and the Goths were invading the region. Apollonia was no longer a pleasant place to live and, by 800 AD, the city was largely abandoned. During the 9th century, after most residents had left the city, the monastery of St Mary was built by the small group of Christians who remained. in the ruins of the city and was rebuilt in the 14th century. During communist times, religion was banned, so the monastery was used to house livestock and supplies. Since the fall of communism, the Church of St. Mary was returned to its original use and the former monastery buildings were modified to house a small museum and cafe. With its ancient architecture and dim candle lit rooms, St. Mary’s is once again a place of peace. These days Apollonia attracts not only tourists but also newlyweds who want to get their photos taken amongst the ruins. Around the site are the remains of public buildings, temples, theatres, fountains, villas and the old city walls. If you’re looking for things to do in Albania and are interested in Ancient Greece then a day trip to Apollonia is a must. Ron and Michele are Australians who have decided to live life with less things and have more experiences. Their blog, Legging It Travel, covers their travel experiences across more than 30 countries, which they share on their Facebook page. Croatia – Diocletian’s Palace Diocletian’s Palace is one of the few UNESCO Heritage Sites with residents who live, work, and play inside the palace walls. If you’ve ever wanted to experience living in history, staying in this modern community allows you to soak up the site’s history and marvel at how relevant it is for every aspect of contemporary life. Long neglected, but now undergoing a renaissance, the Palace is popular with visitors who arrive by cruise ship from other countries, ferry from the Dalmatian islands, and Croatians on holiday. Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruled from 284-305A.D., famously resigned his position due to declining health, wanting to spend the remainder of his days by the seaside close to where he was born. His plan was to grow tomatoes in the lovely Mediterranean setting in what is now the city of Split, Croatia, on the Dalmatian Coast. This just might be the world’s oldest surviving, upscale retirement home on the water. Constructed at the turn of the 4th century A.D., the palace complex’s residential areas, storehouses, public gathering spaces and temples were supported by a military garrison. Abandoned for several hundred years, and then neglected during Yugoslavia’s Communist regime, the buildings are now repurposed and individual property values within the Palace walls are rising. Foreign nationals looking for an inexpensive holiday home have invested in apartments here, many of which have required restoration within the confines of protected, heritage status. Visitors will experience a bustling, yet relaxed vibe which incorporates historical heritage and clever renovations. Innovative restaurants, upscale accommodations and specialty shops are interspersed among historical squares, a circular oculus open to the sky, colonnades and arches, and ornamental entry gates designated as Gold, Silver and Iron. A stay...

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The Stavelot Triptych

Erin — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 04:26:32 +0000

During the Middle Ages, religious travel was becoming popular. As more people began pilgrimages to seek out religious relics, different churches and monasteries began working to draw visitors and gain additional funding through donations left by the devout. Since very few churches or cities could lay claim to such renowned relics as were in Jerusalem and Rome, many commissioned elaborate housings for the small relics they did have in an attempt to draw visitors. It was during this time, roughly 1156 AD, that a small abbey in what is now known as Belgium commissioned local Mosan artists to create a reliquary to hold their small, precious relics. This is now known as the Stavelot Triptych. Background While it is not known who commissioned the Stavelot Triptych or the actual artist was, it is there is an understanding in the art community of where it originated. It is commonly believed the Abbot of Stavelot Abbey requested its creation and that Godefroid de Huy, a prominent goldsmith during that time, created the work. Wibald, the Abbot of Stavelot Abbey from 1130 to 1159, went to Constantinople in 1154 and returned to the abbey with a piece from the cross on which Christ was crucified, known as the True Cross, and a small scrap of the Mother Mary’s robe. In order to show proper reverence to these items and to draw additional interest in seeing them, Abbot Wibald had a beautiful and ornate Romanesque reliquary made for them: the Stavelot Triptych. A triptych is something that is made up of three pieces. In this case, it is a set of three ornately decorated panels that are hinged together so they can be closed and minimized for easy transport. The main panel of the Stavelot Triptych is set up like an ancient shadow box to display two smaller Byzantine triptychs which hold the relics Abbot Wibald brought back from Constantinople. Those triptychs date from the “11th or early 12th centuries” (Ross). On them we see depictions of the cross surrounded by images of Constantine and Helena, archangels and the military saints George, Procopius, Theodore and Demetrius along with four evangelists. The Left Panel While the objects in the center panel of the triptych are fascinating and worthy of attention, the side panels of the triptych are also remarkable and warrant equal attention. For, on the side panels we find the stories of Emperor Constantine’s conversion and St. Helena’s quest to find the True Cross. These panels are designed in a way that is very typical of Romanesque art during this time period. Bottom Medallion On the left-hand side of the triptych is the story of Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity. The story begins at the bottom and is an idealized version of true events. In the bottom medallion, Constantine is shown having a dream of an angel. The angel is telling him he will be victorious if he goes into battle with the sign of the cross. The angel is bending over, gesturing up, while Constantine is laying down sleeping. This animated gesture is a contrast from the stoic poses used in Byzantine art as are the labels, details and speech bubbles, which are storytelling elements that are common of Romanesque art at this time. There are also various symbolic elements in the image. The crown hanging from the center shows Constantine is destined for greatness. The curtain being pulled aside behind him denotes he is a holy figure. There is a cityscape in the background which suggests that this takes place in a city in Rome. Middle Medallion The middle medallion depicts the end of the Battle of Milvian Bridge. In this battle, Constantine was victorious over Maxentius, who is seen running from Constantine’s troops who are carrying a cross. Constantine became Emperor after this victory, which he believed came about because he used the cross. As an added dramatic element, two soldiers lay dying at the bottom: one is speared while the other is bleeding out through the neck. This element was included because Romanesque artists told stories in more lively ways to engage the emotions of the viewer. The earth is represented, as well, to ground them and give them a more realistic and relatable quality. Top Medallion The final medallion telling the story of Constantine’s conversion is on the top left. In this medallion, we see Constantine being baptized, which is a partial fabrication. Constantine really was baptized, but not in the manner depicted in the medallion. He was actually baptized by a heretic, which the church did not want represented. This picture depicts him being baptized by Pope Sylvester at the end of his life while priests and ministers witnessed the ceremony. The lines on his body represent ribs and muscles which was done in a typically Romanesque fashion as Romanesque art exaggerated muscles and strength. This baptism is shown to be blessed by God by use of the rays and God’s hand and is shown to have taken place in Rome. The Right Panel On the opposite side of the triptych we see the story of Empress Helena, Constantine’s mother, seeking for and finding the cross which Jesus Christ was crucified on. This cross is known as the True Cross and is highly revered in Christian culture. It was sought after for years and is commonly believed to have been found by Empress Helena during her visit to the Holy Land from 326-328AD. Empress Helena is believed to have found the crosses for Jesus Christ and the two thieves who were crucified with Him and legend states that “a miracle revealed which of the three was the True Cross” (Wikipedia). Bottom Medallion As with Constantine’s story on the left, Empress Helena’s story begins at the bottom of the panel. The bottom right medallion shows Empress Helena sitting on throne, talking to Jewish elders. She went to the Holy Land to establish churches and relief agencies as well as search for relics and bring them back to Rome. In this scene Helena is seated while talking to the Jewish elders as she tries to get them to tell her where the cross Jesus was crucified on is. They refuse to tell her and she threatens them with fire, which is shown behind the elders. The Jewish elders are labeled as Jews and also dressed with white hats which denote them as Jews. As was typical with artistic conventions of the time, Jews wear different kinds of clothing that sets them apart from Christians in art. Middle Medallion In the middle medallion on the right, we see Empress Helena giving direction while the Jewish elders dig a pit. After severe threatening, the Jews finally capitulated and told Empress Helena where they thought the crosses were. Empress Helena had the Jews dig up (and destroy) the Temple of Venus, which is where the crosses were. This act is shown to be blessed by God by use of the rays and God’s hand. There were three crosses underneath the Temple of Venus and they had to figure out which one was the True Cross. Top Medallion The top medallion shows the story of how they figured out which cross was the one Jesus Christ died on. Soon after finding the crosses, they saw a dying person passing by and asked him touch each cross. Legend states that the True Cross healed the man. This act is shown to be blessed by God by use of the rays and God’s hand. Comparison Analysis As a whole, the Stavelot Triptych is fascinating and very ornate, though that was not unusual for this time period. Since many churches were commissioning elaborate reliquaries for their magnificent relics, works of such ornate and elaborate craftsmanship were becoming common and held similar characteristics. The elements and conventions of the Stavelot Triptych, while detailed and beautiful, were very typical of Romanesque art. Within 50 years of the Stavelot Triptych being created, another famous work was created that held very similar elements. This was the Reliquary of St. Maurus. Similarities Both the Stavelot Triptych and the Reliquary of St. Maurus were created by Mosan artisans and commissioned by churches in what is now known as Belgium. Mosan artists were craftsmen from the Meuse valley, which is on the modern-day border between Germany and Belgium. These artists were in high demand during the Romanesque era and created such works as the “Baptismal font at St Bartholomew’s Church in Liège, the Shrine of Saint Servatius in Maastricht, the Shrine of Saint Hadelin in Vise, the Shrine of Saint Remacle in Stavelot, the Shrines of Saint Domitian and Saint Mangold in Huy, the Shrine of Our Lady at Tournai Cathedral, Shrine of the Three Kings at Cologne Cathedral, Shrines of Charlemagne and Mary at Aachen Cathedral, the Barbarossa Chandelier at Aachen Cathedral, the Stavelot alter base, Retable of the Pentecost and the Reliquary with head of Pope Alexander I” (Wikipedia). Aside from being created by artists from the same area, the Stavelot Triptych and the Reliquary of St. Maurus have several elements in common, which were typical of that time. Both works were made of wood, were heavily gilded, were decorated with enamelwork and were inlaid with precious stones. While one is a triptych and the other a chasse, a chest with slanted roofs, they both have the same purpose: to house precious religious relics. As such, they are both covered in depictions of saints and religious figures. In typical Romanesque fashion, the figures are shown in motion and with narrative qualities. Both pieces also contain medallions which tell stories of the persons important to each reliquary and have labels along with various indicative text. These works also have an increased amount of detail and depictions of the ground, which are typical features of Romanesque art. Religious Importance When creating the Stavelot Triptych, the artist created a work that is mesmerizing and timeless. This work, while typical of its time, is fascinating and worth the esteem it receives. Aside from being the housing for religious artifacts, this work is important because it is a combination of two styles: Byzantine reliquaries housed inside a Romanesque reliquary. This was entirely unique and allows us to fully compare the two styles. The Stavelot Triptych is also important because it is evidence of a person being able to safely travel great distances during that era. Traveling great distances was new to that time period and the combination of two art styles from two different areas made during this era shows that people could travel successfully. And the final reason the Stavelot Triptych is important is because it shows that Romanesque art had an interest in the narrative of telling stories with lively characters, which was a big change from the stoic and stiff characters from Byzantine art, thus providing a segue between Byzantine art and Western Medieval art. Conclusion Overall, the Stavelot Triptych is a very important and stunning piece of Romanesque Mosan artwork that has retained its importance and veneration for generations. Whether or not we ever discover who commissioned it, who created it and whether or not the artifacts inside are truly what they claim to be, this work will always hold an aura of mysticism and reverence. Its significance as a religious artifact as well as the artistic skill used in creating this work have made it a timeless work that will maintain admiration and adoration for decades to come. Works Cited “Concise History of the Reliquary and Its Restoration.” Relikviar Sv Maura. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014. <http://www.svatymaur.cz/en/restoration/concise-history-of-the-reliquary-and-it.html>. Petzold, Dr Andreas. “Khan Academy.” Khan Academy. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2014. <https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/medieval-world/latin-western-europe/romanesque1/a/a-beginners-guide-to-romanesque-art>. “Reliquary of St. Maurus.” Memim Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014. <http://memim.com/reliquary-of-st.-maurus.html>. “Reliquary of St. Maurus.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Mar. 2014. Web. 11 Dec. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliquary_of_St._Maurus>. “Romanesque Art.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Nov. 2014. Web. 11 Dec. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanesque_art>. Ross, Nancy. “Stavelot Triptych.” 10 Dec. 2014. Lecture. Sorabella, Jean. “Pilgrimage in Medieval Europe.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Apr....

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