Gezicht op Semur-en-Auxois c. 1860 - 1880

This photograph by V. Didier captures the townscape of Semur-en-Auxois, dominated by two potent symbols: the towering cathedral and the robust medieval towers. These are not merely architectural elements; they are vessels of cultural memory. The cathedral, with its soaring spires, embodies spiritual aspiration, a visual echo of humanity's quest for the divine that dates back to antiquity. Similarly, the medieval towers, with their associations of power and protection, evoke the primal human need for security, harking back to ancient fortresses and citadels. Consider the Egyptian pyramids, for example, which combine the same elements in one powerful symbol: the desire to reach the heavens, but also protect the body of the pharaoh for eternity. These forms reappear through history and become loaded with new cultural context. They tap into our collective subconscious, stirring deep-seated emotions of awe and reverence. The photograph invites us to contemplate the cyclical nature of history, where symbols resurface.