Murbach - Abbaye de Murbach

The church of the former Murbach Abbey was constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Léger. The naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all that left is the transept - and the choir. The place of the former naves, behind the facade, is a cemetery today.

The facade is impressive. The choir is "flat", following architecural traditions from Cluny and Hirsau. Some of the carvings are artistic and pretty extraordenary.

The heads of real giants are used here as bases for the columns. The two "big-heads" are staring over the brink down onto the visitor. The eye-balls are bulged out - and they will follow all moves on the ground. They will keep an eye on you. For sure. Be cautious.

Little higher is a relief of a very different face with a pretty receding hairline. An egghead? Anyway, he has a long, plaited beard.