Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Basse-Auvergne

Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Cornadore erected on the Mont-Cornadore over the tomb of Saint Nectaire, a scholar of missionary Saint Austremonius of Clermont, the first bishop of the Auvergne. Not much is known of the very early days here. 800 years after the death of Saint Nectaire, monks from the abbey La Chaise-Dieu settled and founding a priory here , after an estate was ceded to the abbey by William VII of Auvergne, called "The Young" (his uncle was "William the Old"). This must have taken place before 1169. Two Papal bulls deal with the properties of La Chaise-Dieu, the second one from 1178 lists Saint-Nectaire. It is not known, who built this church, nor who funded the construction. Maybe William VII or the abbey La Chaise-Dieu or mysterious Ranulfo, whose name can be seen on one of the capitals? The historians only agree, that this church was erected within the second half of the 12th century in a short period of time. Badly damaged during the French Revolution, the church got restaurated during the 19th century. This work is still disputed for not being "faithful" to the original, as some arcades (mainly outside) were added at that time. Most of capitals in the nave are not bible-related, like the pillarheads on the choir. A goat-rider meeting an animal playing the harp. I have seen both "icons" already before but never together on one capital. Mostly the harpist is a donkey, but here it is not. Donkeys have a different head (with long ears), no wooly hair - and different hoofs. This even-toed animal could well be a giant sheep.

Saint-Austremoine, now parish church in Issoire, was once the church of a benedictian abbey, that, following the "Vita prima Autremonii" was founded by Saint-Austremoine himself, what probably only stands for "old" or "very old". The abbey got "revitalized" by monks from Charroux (Poitou), that had fled to Issoire after Vikings had raided the coastal areas. The church was probably erected between 1130 and 1160/70 and now is the largest of the "crown jewels" of romanesque architecture in the Auvergne. - During the Wars of Religion infamous Mathieu Merle and his troops killed the monks, looted the abbey and tried to demolish the building. But the church withstood even the fire (only the towers collapsed), though all carvings in and outside got damaged severely. Two years later the catholic troops reconquered the town by destroying it - but they did not damage the church further. Of course, the abbey and church got looted again during the French Revolution, but soon after (1832), the church got the status of a "monument historique". So repairs, renovations and reconstructions started comparatively early. Bernard Craplet ("Auvergne romane") is convinced, that the architects, choosen for this project, were unfortunately neither sufficiently gifted nor skilled. They "recreated" the western facade (1845), and the "pseudo-romanesque" bell-towers. Even the damaged carvings got remodeled, but worst of all, following B. Craplet, they repainted the interior (1857-1859) using pretty screaming colours. It impossible, to find out, how much of the carvings is 12th century. The first "reconstruction" (using gypsum) was done already after the lootings in the 17th century. The mint capitals seen today are products of different phases of "recreating". While in and around the choir is a nice light, in some areas of the aisles it is pretty dark. The carvings here are deeply rooted in the traditions of the Auvergne, what makes them very interesting. Here is the ape/rope/man-icon again, that can be found so often in the Auvergne (eg Besse, Saint-Nectaire, Droiturier, Mozac, Clermont-Ferrand..). In French language this is called "singe cordé". While mostly there is only one ape, lead by a man, here are two apes with ropes around their necks. While mostly the genitals of the apes are covered by some foliage, these parts can be seen here. Between the two apes, in the center stands a person holding the ropes like a leash. Actually I have the impression that this person is a woman, having two long pigtails on either side of her head. The two apes have grabbed these tails - and hold them symmetrically.

Saint-Austremoine, now parish church in Issoire, was once the church of a benedictian abbey, that, following the "Vita prima Autremonii" was founded by Saint-Austremoine himself, what probably only stands for "old" or "very old". The abbey got "revitalized" by monks from Charroux (Poitou), that had fled to Issoire after Vikings had raided the coastal areas. The church was probably erected between 1130 and 1160/70 and now is the largest of the "crown jewels" of romanesque architecture in the Auvergne. - During the Wars of Religion infamous Mathieu Merle and his troops killed the monks, looted the abbey and tried to demolish the building. But the church withstood even the fire (only the towers collapsed), though all carvings in and outside got damaged severely. Two years later the catholic troops reconquered the town by destroying it - but they did not damage the church further. Of course, the abbey and church got looted again during the French Revolution, but soon after (1832), the church got the status of a "monument historique". So repairs, renovations and reconstructions started comparatively early. Bernard Craplet ("Auvergne romane") is convinced, that the architects, choosen for this project, were unfortunately neither sufficiently gifted nor skilled. They "recreated" the western facade (1845), and the "pseudo-romanesque" bell-towers. Even the damaged carvings got remodeled, but worst of all, following B. Craplet, they repainted the interior (1857-1859) using pretty screaming colours. It impossible, to find out, how much of the carvings is 12th century. The first "reconstruction" (using gypsum) was done already after the lootings in the 17th century. The mint capitals seen today are products of different phases of "recreating". While in and around the choir is a nice light, in some areas of the aisles it is pretty dark. The carvings here are deeply rooted in the traditions of the Auvergne, what makes them very interesting. Here is the ape/rope/man-icon again, that can be found so often in the Auvergne (eg Besse, Saint-Nectaire, Droiturier, Mozac, Clermont-Ferrand..). In French language this is called "singe cordé". While mostly there is only one ape, lead by a man, here are two apes with ropes around their necks. While mostly the genitals of the apes are covered by some foliage, these parts can be seen here. Between the two apes, in the center stands a person holding the ropes like a leash. Actually I have the impression that this person is a woman, having two long pigtails on either side of her head. The two apes have grabbed these tails - and hold them symmetrically.

The original construction of the parish church Saint-André in Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (formerly known as "Besse-en-Chandesse") dates back to the 12th, but the church underwent lots renovations over the centuries. So by now it is an interesting mixture of romanesque and gothic elements. The parish church Saint-André is known for the romanesque carvings. The carvings here differ very much in workmanship and artistic creativity. Here is the ape/rope/man-icon again, that can be found so often in he Auvergne, that in French language it is called "singe cordé". While the apes in other churches (Saint-Nectaire, Droiturier, Mozac, Clermont-Ferrand..) where carved mostly more elegant so that the animal could display at least strength, the carving here is very rough - and the ape is nothing but a tortured creature. I´m sure one day PETA will use this! In all other churches, quoted above, there are man, the ape and the rope. Here is a man, leading the ape with a rope - and another person to the left. Unfortunately the face of the second person is damaged, but we can still see the hairdo. The person is barfoot and does not have the impressing height of the man on the right. I have the impression, that this person is a woman, maybe even the wife of the bearded guy. As soon, as he shows the ape to the audience it is "cap in hand time" for her, as then she will walk around, collecting tips. She already has the "cap" in both hands and soon hopefully the cap will be filled with coins. If this is right, this carving is a snapshot, depicting a small, family run travelling circus. First time seen here is the person behind the scene", the collector of the tips is a barefoot woman.

The original construction of the parish church Saint-André in Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (formerly known as "Besse-en-Chandesse") dates back to the 12th, but the church underwent lots renovations over the centuries. So by now it is an interesting mixture of romanesque and gothic elements. The parish church Saint-André is known for the romanesque carvings. The carvings here differ very much in workmanship and artistic creativity. Here is the ape/rope/man-icon again, that can be found so often in he Auvergne, that in French language ist is called "singe cordé". While the apes in other churches (Saint-Nectaire, Droiturier, Mozac, Clermont-Ferrand..) where carved mostly more elegant so that the animal could display at least strength, the carving here is very rough - and the ape is nothing but a tortured creature. I´m sure one day PETA will use this! At this more detailled shot, it is clear, that the man, holding the ape, is a real giant. Sofar the men doing his job were standing upright an so had the same height as the ape. This guy is on his knee- and still has that height. He is holds the arm of the animal, but that part of the capital is obviously lost.

The original construction of the parish church Saint-André in Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (formerly known as "Besse-en-Chandesse") dates back to the 12th, but the church underwent lots renovations over the centuries. So by now it is an interesting mixture of romanesque and gothic elements. The parish church Saint-André is known for the romanesque carvings. The carvings here differ very much in workmanship and artistic creativity. Here is the ape/rope/man-icon again, that can be found so often in he Auvergne, that in French language ist is called "singe cordé". While the apes in other churches (Saint-Nectaire, Droiturier, Mozac, Clermont-Ferrand..) where carved mostly more elegant so that the animal could display at least strength, the carving here is very rough - and the ape is nothing but a tortured creature. I´m sure one day PETA will use this!

Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Cornadore erected on the Mont-Cornadore over the tomb of Saint Nectaire, a scholar of missionary Saint Austremonius of Clermont, the first bishop of the Auvergne. Not much is known of the very early days here. 800 years after the death of Saint Nectaire, monks from the abbey La Chaise-Dieu settled and founding a priory here , after an estate was ceded to the abbey by William VII of Auvergne, called "The Young" (his uncle was "William the Old"). This must have taken place before 1169. Two Papal bulls deal with the properties of La Chaise-Dieu, the second one from 1178 lists Saint-Nectaire. It is not known, who built this church, nor who funded the construction. Maybe William VII or the abbey La Chaise-Dieu or mysterious Ranulfo, whose name can be seen on one of the capitals? The historians only agree, that this church was erected within the second half of the 12th century in a short period of time. Badly damaged during the French Revolution, the church got restaurated during the 19th century. This work is still disputed for not being "faithful" to the original, as some arcades (mainly outside) were added at that time. Most of capitals in the nave are not bible-related, like the pillarheads on the choir. The same capital, as seen before. The icon (man/rope/ape) is typical for this area, the French call this "singe cordé". Sorry for the blurry photo.

Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Cornadore erected on the Mont-Cornadore over the tomb of Saint Nectaire, a scholar of missionary Saint Austremonius of Clermont, the first bishop of the Auvergne. Not much is known of the very early days here. 800 years after the death of Saint Nectaire, monks from the abbey La Chaise-Dieu settled and founding a priory here , after an estate was ceded to the abbey by William VII of Auvergne, called "The Young" (his uncle was "William the Old"). This must have taken place before 1169. Two Papal bulls deal with the properties of La Chaise-Dieu, the second one from 1178 lists Saint-Nectaire. It is not known, who built this church, nor who funded the construction. Maybe William VII or the abbey La Chaise-Dieu or mysterious Ranulfo, whose name can be seen on one of the capitals? The historians only agree, that this church was erected within the second half of the 12th century in a short period of time. Badly damaged during the French Revolution, the church got restaurated during the 19th century. This work is still disputed for not being "faithful" to the original, as some arcades (mainly outside) were added at that time. Most of capitals in the nave are not bible-related, like the pillarheads on the choir. This icon (man/rope/ape) is typical for the area. The French call this "singe cordé". I have learned, that within the Auvergne are about 20 (!) similar carvings. Here is one of them. The ape and the "owner" depicted in the typical posture. The ape has like most of his animal-collegues these large wrinkels all around his neck. They may have been caused by the rope.