15 March 2014

St. John's Church, Byblos Lebanon


Commanderie de la Romagne

Commanderie de la Romagne which was part of the Grand Priory of Champagne. It was originally a Templar fortification became property of the Order of Malta in the early 14th century. In 1595 after the Battle of Fontaine Francais, King Henry IV installed his camp here. He was welcomed by the Grand Prior of Champagne, Philibert de Foissy. St. John's Gate, the large archway, is part of the building where the drawbridge was once stored. It has been restored to host guests in period style rooms. For more information visit http://www.romagne.com/home.htm


12 March 2014

Church of St. Andre in Luz-Saint Sauveur


The village of Luz-Saint-Sauveur in the Haute Pyrenees. The Church of St. Andre was built in the late 11th century by the St. Andre family and dedicated to the apostle of the same name.

In the 14th century the family gave the Church to the knights of St. John who used it to provide sanctuary to pilgrims on the Camino of St. James. The knights built the circular rampart to protect the townspeople from the "bandits Aragonais" who roamed the region. The tower was used as a munitions depot.






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