Bazas - Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste

Many pilgrims following the Via Lemovicensis visited Bazas, as since medieval times as the blood of John the Baptist was venerated here. The relic got lost during the French Revolution as well as the bishopric seat. The cathedral, dating mainly from the 13th-14th centuries, dominates the central square of Bazas. The western facade has three Gothic portals. Here is the tympanum of the center portal.

The trumeau depicts John the Baptist (only his upper body can be seen), holding the "Agnus Dei".

The trumeau depicts John the Baptist (only his upper body can be seen), holding the "Agnus Dei".

The tympanum has in the lowest tier some biblical scenes, connected to John´s life. The decapitation is to the very left.

The "Last Judgment", a popular theme

With the next tier the Armageddon begins. The "Last Judgment" was a very popular theme fpr tymoana since centuries. Here the graves open. The weighing of the souls is seen (very damaged) in the center of the next level. On the very right devils stuff poor souls into the hellmouth, while the persons on the left side go up to heaven. The angels, flanking Christ in the center above, hold the "Arma Christi" ("Instruments of the Passion").