Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Varaize

A priory, dependent from the Abbaye Royale in Saint-Jean-d'Angély, existed here in the 12th century, the church Saint-Germain was erected end of that century. The church is known for the southern portal, which is a Romanesque masterpiece. Some of the corbels of the transept and all around the apse are as well beautiful. Are there two persons - embracing each other ? And what is the subject inbetween them? Or is there a male genital? If so the corbel depicts a nude man. There are some more of these ithyphallic / megaphallic persons under the roofs of Poitous´ medieval churches.

A priory, dependent from the Abbaye Royale in Saint-Jean-d'Angély, existed here in the 12th century, the church Saint-Germain was erected end of that century. The church is known for the southern portal, which is a Romanesque masterpiece. Some of the corbels of the transept and all around the apse are as well beautiful. Here is goat, playing the pan flute.

A priory, dependent from the Abbaye Royale in Saint-Jean-d'Angély, existed here in the 12th century, the church Saint-Germain was erected end of that century. The church is known for the southern portal, which is a Romanesque masterpiece. Some of the corbels of the transept and all around the apse are as well beautiful. Here is a harp-player - and a devouring beast. The lower body of the poor victim hangs out of the beast´s jaws. The musician seems to be terrified by the scene next to him. His eyes are wide open.

A priory, dependent from the Abbaye Royale in Saint-Jean-d'Angély, existed here in the 12th century, the church Saint-Germain was erected end of that century. The church is known for the southern portal, which is a Romanesque masterpiece. Compared to the complex archivolts outside (see previous uploads) the capitals of the nave are crude. Here is a Master of Beasts. The design is not symmetric, like most "MoBs" are. Here the person (wearing a strange with very long sleeves) is in the center of mythical animals.

A priory, dependent from the Abbaye Royale in Saint-Jean-d'Angély, existed here in the 12th century, the church Saint-Germain was erected end of that century. Today it serves the parish - and is in state of urgent repair. The western walls are cracked and the structure is temporarily stabilized by a construction of wooden beams, seen here from the aisle. The southern entrance (see previous uploads) is on the left.

A priory, dependent from the Abbaye Royale in Saint-Jean-d'Angély, existed here in the 12th century, the church Saint-Germain was erected end of that century. Today it serves the parish - and is in state of urgent repair. The walls of the western facade are cracked and are temporarily stabilized by a construction of wooden beams. The church is known for the southern portal, a Romanesque masterpiece. Some of the capitals on the sides were "reconstructed" end of the 19th century, but most of the archivolts are "untouched. Just over the archivolts runs a frieze. This festoon is a detail. Two birds to the right, a siren to the left and a monkey in the center.

A priory, dependent from the Abbaye Royale in Saint-Jean-d'Angély, existed here in the 12th century, the church Saint-Germain was erected end of that century. Today it serves the parish - and is in state of urgent repair. The walls of the western facade are cracked and are temporarily stabilized by a construction of wooden beams (previous uploads). The church is known for the southern portal, a Romanesque masterpiece. Some of the capitals on the sides were "reconstructed" end of the 19th century, but the archivolts are "untouched. Here is a more detailed shot. An Agnus Dei is in the center of the inner archivolt, the Elders of the Apocalypse are seated on an outer archivolt. Revelation 4:4 "Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads." For an unknown reason, within the Poitou, the number of 24 Elders did not seem adequate. In Varaize doomsday needed a little more staff. Here are 9 (two very weathered) of 37 Elders of the Apocalypse. Saint Pierre in Aulnay has 31, Notre-Dame in Avy has 36 and the Abbaye aux Dames in Saintes even 54 Elders.

A priory, dependent from the Abbaye Royale in Saint-Jean-d'Angély, existed here in the 12th century, the church Saint-Germain was erected end of that century. Today it serves the parish - and is in state of urgent repair. The walls of the western facade are cracked and are temporarily stabilized by a construction of wooden beams (previous uploads). The church is known for the southern portal, a Romanesque masterpiece. Some of the capitals on the sides were "reconstructed" end of the 19th century, but the archivolts are "untouched. Here is a more detailed shot. An Agnus Dei is in the center of the inner archivolt, the Elders of the Apocalypse are seated on an outer archivolt. Revelation 4:4 "Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads." For an unknown reason, within the Poitou, the number of 24 Elders did not seem adequate. Here doomsday needed a little more staff. Here are 37 Elders of the Apocalypse. Saint Pierre in Aulnay has 31, Notre-Dame in Avy has 36 and the Abbaye aux Dames in Saintes even 54 Elders.

A priory, dependent from the Abbaye Royale in Saint-Jean-d'Angély, existed here in the 12th century, the church Saint-Germain was erected end of that century. Today it serves the parish - and is in state of urgent repair. The walls of the western facade are cracked and are temporarily stabilized by a construction of wooden beams (previous uploads). The church is known for the southern portal, seen here. This is a Romanesque masterpiece. Some of the capitals on the sides were "reconstructed" end of the 19th century, but the archivolts are "untouched. An Agnus Dei is in the center of the inner archivolt, flanked by adoring angels.

A priory, dependent from the Abbaye Royale in Saint-Jean-d'Angély, existed here in the 12th century, the church Saint-Germain was erected end of that century. Today it serves the parish - and is in state of urgent repair. The walls of the western facade are cracked. The facade is stabilized by a construction of wooden beams. Money is needed: www.fondation-patrimoine.org/fr/poitou-charentes-20/tous-...

A priory, dependent from the Abbaye Royale in Saint-Jean-d'Angély, existed here in the 12th century, the church Saint-Germain was erected end of that century. Today it serves the parish - and is in state of urgent repair. Note the alarming angle of the western facade. It is stabilized by a construction of wooden beams. Money is needed: www.fondation-patrimoine.org/fr/poitou-charentes-20/tous-...

As the village Varaize is situated in a little valley, only a part of Saint-Germain can be seen behind millions of sunflowers.