Heinblog: Dijon

Dijon is the historic capital of Burgundy.

Notre-Dame of Dijon is the church for you if you like gargoyles.

The church was built in the 13th century, and restoration is ongoing.

Spooky

The stained glass windows are also from the 13th century; some of the originals still exist.

The lucky owl on the side of the church is one of Dijon's main symbols.

Many half-timbered houses with colorful tile roofs still line the streets.

The Ducal Palace houses the Musee des Beaux-Arts de Dijon.

A slightly off-putting well

Fancy containers from the 13th century

An impressive reliquary

Limoges enamel

An Altarpiece of Saint Margaret from 1480

Altarpiece of Emperor Augustus and the Sibyl of Tibur from 1435

Altarpice of the Magi from 1475

Lands ruled by the Duke of Burgundy before Charles the Bold's death in 1477

Charles the Bold on the right with his parents Philip the Good and Isabella of Portugal

A 14th century altarpiece from Ypres

The funerary crown of Philip the Bold, founder of the Burgundian branch of the House of Valois

The tombs of Philip the Bold, John the Fearless, and Margaret of Bavaria

The Dukes of Burgundy were originally buried outside Dijon at a monastery called Chartreuse de Champol, which was destroyed during the French Revolution. Works of art from the monastery have been scattered throughout the world's museums. One of the few left in Dijon is the Well of Moses, which includes a depiction of Moses with horns.

In 1513, after Charles the Bold's failed attempt to conquer Lorraine and subdue the Swiss, armies from Switzerland and the Holy Roman Empire failed to conquer Dijon during the War of the League of Cambrai.

The morning star really seems unusable.

Zweihanders

Detailed powder flasks

Limoges porcelain from the 16th century portraying Roman Emperors

Moo

The Church of Saint Michael (left) was built in the 16th century.

It's entrance is well maintained.

The church next to Saint Michael's houses a museum of sculpture by Francois Rude.

The Archeology Museum of Dijon, housed next to the Cathedral of Saint Benignus, has some interesting pieces, including this bronze jewelry found near Dijon that resembles large quantities of other jewelry found in the Carpathian mountains.

Fibulae

Saint Benignus had a rough life.

Boo!

The Order of the Porcupine was founded by Louis I, Duke of Orleans as a rival order to the Order of the Golden Fleece, founded by the Duke of Burgundy. The conflict between these two cadet branches of the Valois family was a main reason for French instability during the Hundred Years' War.