Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Barbara

The parish church Saint-Exupère exists here since the 10th century, when it was part of a priory. The nave is probably the oldest part of the structure. The statute of Sainte-BArbe is some centuries younger. Sainte-Barbe (Barbe la grande martyre), patron saint of gunsmiths, miners and anyone, who worked with explosives. She is invoked as well against thunder and lightning.

A priory of the Abbey Sainte-Barbe en Auge (100 kms east) existed nearby since 1107. "Notre Dame" (co-dedicated to "Sainte Barbe") was given to the priory in 1165. An inscription in the apse tells, that the church was consecrated in 1128. Here are the choir and apse, constructed during the Romanesque period. The sides open to the side chapels added to the nave later. Under the arches are four of the frescoes, that were discovered end of the 19th century. As the church belonged to the Abbey Sainte-Barbe en Auge, where relics of Sainte-Barbe ("Great Martyr Barbara") were venerated, it is no surprise, that there is a "Saint Barbara cycle".