Rosheim - Saints-Pierre-et-Paul

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul", using the local pinkish sandstone, started around 1150. The gothic-style crossing tower was added around 1300. The basilica-sytle church has the classical layout of a latin cross and is known for the carvings. Though some of these got damaged during the French Revolution, most of them are still in place.

Size and the quality of some of them is really breathtaking. The architecture of this church is sometimes compared with a medieaval reliquary-shrine - and there are analogies indeed, but I see parallels as well to churches in the Lombardy.

When in 1622 a troop of mercenaries led by Peter von Mansfeld burnt down the whole village of Rosheim, this building was the only one, that survived. A legends tell, that it was defended by angels.

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On the left the chin-pullers, seen before. Thanks to Paula I found this links about medieval beard-pullers.

www.beyond-the-pale.org.uk/beardpullers.htm

Anthony Weir has the theory, that beard-pulling is a metaphor of masturbation. Wel, could be...
If Mr. Weir is right, it may be interesting the the carving of the two chin-pullers is placed prominently on the corner - and the chin-pullers are via the arcade connected to more male heads. All have the same physiognomy, the same expression - and the same moustache. That is worth another thought. When all men here look the same - then all men may be the same sinners.

.. and on the other side of the church is a very nice mermaid!

www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/5388244363/