Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Sainte Croix

Legends tell, that in the 6th century a hermit named Porcianus, later known as Saint Pourcain founded a monastery on the height of land overlooking the river. The monastery was restored between 871 and 875 by monks of the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Philibert, (today in Loire-Atlantique), who had fled the Noirmoutier Abbey traying to bring St. Philiberts relics into safety from the the Norman raids. They stayed for a couple of years and settled finally in Tournus. The monastery of Saint-Pourçain became a priory dependent on the abbey of Saint-Philibert de Tournus. During the French Revolution, the monastery was closed and its church "Sainte Croix" became a parish church. So this was the church of monastery. The first construction phase started within the 11th century, so romanesque walls can be seen in the nave - in the first bays. Further east the structure is gothic (13th), incl. the radial chappels of the choir. The church got looted and heavily damaged during/after the French Revolution, which is still very visible. During the 19th century the church got reconstructed. The vandals of the revolutions really took pains here and completely destroyed the medieval tympanum.

Legends tell, that in the 6th century a hermit named Porcianus, later known as Saint Pourcain founded a monastery on the height of land overlooking the river. The monastery was restored between 871 and 875 by monks of the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Philibert, (today in Loire-Atlantique), who had fled the Noirmoutier Abbey traying to bring St. Philiberts relics into safety from the the Norman raids. They stayed for a couple of years and settled finally in Tournus. The monastery of Saint-Pourçain became a priory dependent on the abbey of Saint-Philibert de Tournus. During the French Revolution, the monastery was closed and its church "Sainte Croix" became a parish church. So this was the church of monastery. The first construction phase started within the 11th century, so romanesque walls can be seen in the nave - in the first bays. Further east the structure is gothic (13th), incl. the radial chappels of the choir. The church got looted and heavily damaged during/after the French Revolution, which is still very visible. During the 19th century the church got reconstructed. A neoclassical facade was added and the bell tower got a new spire.

The parish church Sainte Croix in Gannat is the result of a very long and complex history. Two apses and some parts of the transept date back to the 12th century. Outside one of the romanesque apses is this remarkable nice capital, depicting the Nativity. On the right is an angel in the sky above two shepherds. The shepherds standing close together in a gesture of scare and surprise. To the right a very large Joseph. Contemplating in a typical pose, holding the elbow, the hand at his chin. Next to Josph´s head the rear part of the ox. On the center of the capital is Mary resting in a boatlike bed, crowned by a halo. Connected via a spiraled chord to Jesus, who is tightly swaddled and placed in a manger. Above him the ox and a horse, what in this context can be a very elegant ass.

The parish church Sainte Croix in Gannat is the result of a very long and complex history. Two apses and some parts of the transept date back to the 12th century. The three rows of the nave and the side aisles were built during the 13th century. From the 14th to the 16th century ten (!) chapels were adjoined without any specific architectural order. In the nave, facing east to the choir, flooded with morning light. Below the clerestory is a blind triforium. What is hard to see on this shot.

The parish church Sainte Croix in Gannat is the result of a very long and complex history. Two apses and some parts of the transept date back to the 12th century. The three rows of the nave and the side aisles were built during the 13th century. From the 14th to the 16th century ten (!) chapels were adjoined without any specific architectural order. This nicely coloured capital from the transept is probably one of the oldest inside the church. Depicted are two atlants at the corners, moaning under the heavy load (see the open mouth) - and a gymnast in the center just starting his skilled performance on a horiziontal bar. Or is the person just a very short weightlifter?