Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Gensac-la-Pallue

Gensac-la-Pallue is a small town (10kms southeast of Cognac) with a population of about 1500. Saint Martin is the large parish church of Gensac-la-Pallue. It is unknown, who financed this church, when it was erected within the 12th century (the choir and tower were added a century later) and there are no obvious connections to one of the important abbeys of the area, but for a parish church, built on swampy grounds, this is a pretty prestigious structure. Saint-Martin has an extraordenary western facade. The sculpted capitals of the interior differ clearly in style. The four bays of the single nave church are vaulted domes on pendentives.

Gensac-la-Pallue is a small town (10kms southeast of Cognac) with a population of about 1500. Saint Martin is the large parish church of Gensac-la-Pallue. It is unknown, who financed this church, when it was erected within the 12th century (the choir and tower were added a century later) and there are no obvious connections to one of the important abbeys of the area, but for a parish church, built on swampy grounds, this is a pretty prestigious structure. Saint-Martin has an extraordenary western facade, that is basically typical for the Saintonge with the two blind arches, flanking the central portal. There are no carved archivolts, but a long frieze-like band extending over the facade.

Gensac-la-Pallue is a small town (10kms southeast of Cognac) with a population of about 1500. Saint Martin is the large parish church of Gensac-la-Pallue. It is unknown, who financed this church, when it was erected within the 12th century (the choir and tower were added a century later) and there are no obvious connections to one of the important abbeys of the area, but for a parish church, built on swampy grounds, this is a pretty prestigious structure. Saint-Martin has an extraordenary western facade, that is basically typical for the Saintonge with the two blind arches, flanking the central portal. There are no carved archivolts, but a long frieze-like band extending over the facade.

Gensac-la-Pallue is a small town (10kms southeast of Cognac) with a population of about 1500. Saint Martin is the large parish church of Gensac-la-Pallue. It is unknown, who financed this church, when it was erected within the 12th century (the choir and tower were added a century later) and there are no obvious connections to one of the important abbeys of the area, but for a parish church, built on swampy grounds, this is a pretty prestigious structure. Saint-Martin has an extraordenary western facade, that is basically typical for the Saintonge with the two blind arches, flanking the central portal. There are no carved archivolts, but a long frieze-like band extending over the facade. Two large mandorla-carvings are symmetrically placed. On the left side the Virgin, on the right St. Martin Of Tours, seen as the bishop holding a crozier. Both are surrounded by angels.

population of about 1500. Saint Martin is the large parish church of Gensac-la-Pallue. It is unknown, who financed this church, when it was erected within the 12th century (the choir and tower were added a century later) and there are no obvious connections to one of the important abbeys of the area, but for a parish church, built on swampy grounds, this is a pretty prestigious structure. Saint-Martin has an extraordenary western facade, that is basically typical for the Saintonge with the two blind arches, flanking the central portal. But not many churches in the Poitou have three (!) horizontal registers/levels with a kind of rythm: 3 arches, topped by 5 arches, topped by 6 arches. There are no carved archivolts, but a long frieze-like band extending over the facade. Two large mandorla-carvings are symmetrically placed. On the left side the Virgin, on the right St. Martin Of Tours, seen as the bishop holding a crozier. Both are surrounded by angels.

Gensac-la-Pallue is a small town (10kms southeast of Cognac) with a population of about 1500. Saint Martin is the large parish church of Gensac-la-Pallue. It is unknown, who financed this church, when it was erected within the 12th century (the choir and tower were added a century later) and there are no obvious connections to one of the important abbeys of the area, but for a parish church, built on swampy grounds, this is a pretty prestigious structure.

Gensac-la-Pallue is a small town, about 10kms southeast of Cognac, with a population of 1500. Saint Martin is the large parish church of the town. It is not known, who financed this church, when it was erected within the 12th century (the choir and tower were added a century later) and there are no obvious connections to one of the important abbeys of the area, but for a parish church, built on swampy grounds, this is a pretty prestigious structure. Saint-Martin has a western facade, that is extraordenary, as not many churches in the Poitou have three horizontal registers/levels. For architects the impressing four domes, that span over the nave, are the most interesting features of St. Martin. While 40kms west in Saintes the domes of "Abbaye des Dames" collapsed during the Wars of Religion, here they are still in place.

Gensac-la-Pallue is a small town, about 10kms southeast of Cognac, with a population of 1500. Saint Martin is the large parish church of the town. It is not known, who financed this church, when it was erected within the 12th century (the choir and tower were added a century later) and there are no obvious connections to one of the important abbeys of the area, but for a parish church, built on swampy grounds, this is a pretty prestigious structure. Saint-Martin has a western facade, that is extraordenary, as not many churches in the Poitou have three horizontal registers/levels. A corbel under the roof, where a depressed, flaky monster devours a poor soul. The victim has not given up so far. He tries to salute by raising his arm with the clenched fist.

Gensac-la-Pallue is a small town, about 10kms southeast of Cognac, with a population of 1500. Saint Martin is the large parish church of the town. It is not known, who financed this church, when it was erected within the 12th century (the choir and tower were added a century later) and there are no obvious connections to one of the important abbeys of the area, but for a parish church, built on swampy grounds, this is a pretty prestigious structure. Saint-Martin has a western facade, that is extraordenary, as not many churches in the Poitou have three horizontal registers/levels. There is a long frieze-like band extending all over the facade. This frieze is pretty weathered in parts after 800 years, but other more sheltered stretches seem untouched by the centuries. This person (what a moustache!), a "Master of Beasts", can often be found in and around Romanesque churches. I have no idea, what this icon stands for. It seems, like he is strangling the birds, but they may tell him secrets.

Gensac-la-Pallue is a small town, about 10kms southeast of Cognac, with a population of 1500. Saint Martin is the large parish church of the town. It is not known, who financed this church, when it was erected within the 12th century (the choir and tower were added a century later) and there are no obvious connections to one of the important abbeys of the area, but for a parish church, built on swampy grounds, this is a pretty prestigious structure. Saint-Martin has a western facade, that is extraordenary, as not many churches in the Poitou have three horizontal registers/levels. There is a long frieze-like band extending all over the facade. This frieze is pretty weathered in parts after 800 years, but other more sheltered stretches seem untouched by the centuries. Here a young guy, who seems to greet us out of the jungle of entwined vines. To the left a bird and the head of a lion. Vines sprout out of..

Gensac-la-Pallue is a small town, about 10kms southeast of Cognac, with a population of 1500. Saint Martin is the large parish church of the town. It is not known, who financed this church, when it was erected within the 12th century (the choir and tower were added a century later) and there are no obvious connections to one of the important abbeys of the area, but for a parish church, built on swampy grounds, this is a pretty prestigious structure. Saint-Martin has a western facade, that is extraordenary, as not many churches in the Poitou have three horizontal registers/levels. There is a long frieze-like band extending all over the facade. This frieze is pretty weathered in parts after 800 years, but other more sheltered stretches seem untouched by the centuries. In the center of a jungle on entwined vines a monk (?) has risen from his chair and now blesses the onlooker.

Gensac-la-Pallue is a small town, about 10kms southeast of Cognac, with a population of 1500. Saint Martin is the large parish church of the town. It is not known, who financed this church, when it was erected within the 12th century (the choir and tower were added a century later) and there are no obvious connections to one of the important abbeys of the area, but for a parish church, built on swampy grounds, this is a pretty prestigious structure. Saint-Martin has a western facade, that is extraordenary, as not many churches in the Poitou have three (!) horizontal registers/levels with a kind of rythm: 3 arches, topped by 5 arches, topped by 6 arches. There is a long frieze-like band extending all over the facade. This frieze is in parts pretty weathered after 800 years. I do not know, who is the peron to the very left, but Samson, tearing the lion apart (left) and Abraham, sacrificing his son (right), can still be recognized. The angel and the ram are on their way..

Gensac-la-Pallue is a small town, about 10kms southeast of Cognac, with a population of 1500. Saint Martin is the large parish church of the town. It is not known, who financed this church, when it was erected within the 12th century (the choir and tower were added a century later) and there are no obvious connections to one of the important abbeys of the area, but for a parish church, built on swampy grounds, this is a pretty prestigious structure. Saint-Martin has an extraordenary western facade, that is basically typical for the Saintonge with the two blind arches, flanking the central portal. But not many churches in the Poitou have three (!) horizontal registers/levels with a kind of rythm: 3 arches, topped by 5 arches, topped by 6 arches. There are no carved archivolts, but a long frieze-like band extending over the facade. Two large mandorla-carvings are symmetrically placed. On the left side the Virgin, on the right St. Martin Of Tours, seen as the bishop holding a crozier. Both are surrounded by angels.

Gensac-la-Pallue is a small town (10kms southeast of Cognac) with a population of about 1500. Saint Martin is the large parish church of the town. It is not known, who financed this church, when it was erected within the 12th century (the choir and tower were added a century later) and there are no obvious connections to one of the important abbeys of the area, but for a parish church, built on swampy grounds, this is a pretty prestigious structure.