Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: zig-zag

"Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul" is not mentioned in any written document before the 13th century. Most historians agree, that the church was built not earlier than in the first half of the 12th century. About a century later, the Romanesque transept and choir got demolished - and replaced by the large Gothic structure, seen here. The tower was erected within the 13th century. The church was added to the list of "monuments historique" already in 1862, but the restoration process started end of the 19th century. The church was added to the list of "monuments historique" already in 1862, but the restoration process started end of the 19th century. Of course a church like this needs perpetual care. The state of the portal is the result of a very soft stone, used by the carvers in the 12th century and a very long neglect. Most of the details are weathered away. The archivolts have the typical sig-zag design - in variations.

The church, dedicated to Saint-Gervais, was erected within the 11th century, was very similar to "Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais" in Rhuis (previous uploads), just 4kms east. The tower has parallels in Rhuis and in Morienval. The whole area must have been a busy place for skilled craftsmen and masons, as many churches and chapels were under construction at the same time. The church got strongly modified a couple of times later. End of the 12 century the nave got enlarged, the Gothic chapels were added to the structure within the 14th century. To enlarge the church may have been caused by a population growth during that century. Note that the bricked up side portal has a typical zig-zag design, similar to portals in Rully and Saint-Vaast-de-Longmont.

The area belonged to Verberie (3 kms north), an important place during in Carolingian times. Charles Martel met Pope Gregory III here, Charlemagne, Martel´s grandson, built a palace in Verberie. Archaeologists could prove, that there were at least two preceding churches, when the erection of this church started around 1100. At that times, this was a single nave structure. Modifications started already around 1160, when and aisle was added a more "modern" apse was added, replacing an older one. The portal, seen here, is extraordinary. It consists out of four large zig-zag-archivolts. The nearby church of Rully (10kms south), with a similar but but smaller zigzag design, was built within the same decades. The towers of both churches show as well parallels, so the workshops may have closely cooperated.