Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Tauriac

A "villa Tauriaca" was given to the Bishop of Le Mans already in 585 by some Alderic. At that time probably a chapel existed here. The portal seen today dates to the 12th. century - and it is unusual, as it does have tympana in the flanking arches. Modifications were made, when the church got fortified in the 16th century. The nave got a thoroughly renovated, but two old pillars and capitals are still "in situ". Here is one of the capitals, depicting the stoning of Saint Stephen (= Saint-Etienne) to whom the church is dedicated.

A "villa Tauriaca" was given to the Bishop of Le Mans already in 585 by some Alderic. At that time probably a chapel existed here. The portal dates to the 12th. century - and it is unusual, as it does have tympana in the flanking arches. Modifications were made, when the church got fortified in the 16th century. The nave got a new floor in the early 19th century, the old level can still be seen here, as well some of one of the the old pillars and capitals.

A "villa Tauriaca" was given to the Bishop of Le Mans already in 585 by some Alderic. At that time probably a chapel existed here. The portal seen today dates to the 12th. century - and it is unusual, as it does have tympana in the flanking arches. Modifications were made, when the church got fortified in the 16th century, but meanwhile the portal is pretty much back to the original state. It is claimed, that some of the carvings may be older than the church and may have been part of the earlier (merovingien?) church. I do like the little "side stories", that are sometimes hidden in between. Here is a nice example, as just above the capitals a wiener dog (?) hunts a hare.

A "villa Tauriaca" was given to the Bishop of Le Mans already in 585 by some Alderic. At that time probably a chapel existed here. The portal seen today dates to the 12th. century - and it is unusual, as it does have tympana in the flanking arches. Modifications were made, when the church got fortified in the 16th century, but meanwhile the portal is pretty much back to the original state. It is claimed, that some of the carvings may be older than the church and may have been part of the earlier (merovingien?) church. A very weathered equestrian is in the center of the left tympanum. Such statues are not very common. Further north are a few (Surgères, Melle, Parthenay-le-Vieux, Airvault), where under the hoof of horese is a small person. It is widely believed, that the statues depict Constantine the Great, trampling down Roman heathenism. In Southern France (eg. Oloron St. Marie) and Northen Spain similar statues are seen as Saint Jaques ("Matamoro"), fighting the muslims on the Hispanic peninsula and so supporting the reconquista

A "villa Tauriaca" was given to the Bishop of Le Mans already in 585 by some Alderic. At that time probably a chapel existed here. The portal seen today dates to the 12th. century - and it is unusual, as it does have tympana in the flanking arches. Modifications were made, when the church got fortified in the 16th century, but meanwhile the portal is pretty much back to the original state. It is claimed, that some of the carvings may be older than the church and may have been part of the earlier (merovingien?) church. At least a tympanum like this is not typical for the "style saintongeais". There is an inscription around the Agnus Dei - and below, over the lions, but I could not decipher the words. - I had been in this area a couple of times before - and took already lots of fotos, but as I had the time now, I visited places like Tauriac again. If you want more details, just search - for "Tauriac" in my photostream.

A "villa Tauriaca" was given to the Bishop of Le Mans already in 585 by some Alderic. At that time probably a chapel existed here. The portal seen today dates to the 12th. century - and it is unusual, as it does have tympana in the flanking arches. Modifications were made, when the church got fortified in the 16th century, but meanwhile the portal is pretty much back to the original state. - I had been in this area a couple of times before - and took already lots of fotos, but as I had the time now, I visited places like Tauriac again. If you want more details, just search - for "Tauriac" in my photostream.

A "villa Tauriaca" was given to the Bishop of Le Mans already in 585 by some Alderic. At that time probably a chapel existed here. The portal seen today dates to the 12th. century. Modifications were made, when the church got fortified in the 16th century, but meanwhile the portal is pretty much back to the original state. When I had visited Tauriac in 2011, the roof was in bad condition. So it was nice to see, that renovation was underway in 2013.

A "villa Tauriaca" was given to the Bishop of Le Mans already in 585 by some Alderic. At that time probably a chapel existed here. The portal seen today dates to the 12th. century - and it is unusual, as it does have tympana in the flanking arches. Modifications were made, when the church got fortified in the 16th century, but meanwhile the portal is pretty much back to the original state. Most capitals and corbels of the church are undamaged. The person, seen here, has by far the weirdest hairdo I have seen in a very long time. Not to talk about the beard, plaited to feathers. The guy looks like a medieval Rastafari with his long dreadlocks. Ganja-style?!

A "villa Tauriaca" was given to the Bishop of Le Mans already in 585 by some Alderic. At that time probably a chapel existed here. The portal seen today dates to the 12th. century - and it is unusual, as it does have tympana in the flanking arches. Modifications were made, when the church got fortified in the 16th century, but meanwhile the portal is pretty much back to the original state. Most capitals and corbels of the church are undamaged. The musician, holding his vielle, is obviously impressed by the flexibility of his neighbour (see previous upload).

A "villa Tauriaca" was given to the Bishop of Le Mans already in 585 by some Alderic. At that time probably a chapel existed here. The portal seen today dates to the 12th. century - and it is unusual, as it does have tympana in the flanking arches. Modifications were made, when the church got fortified in the 16th century, but meanwhile the portal is pretty much back to the original state. Most capitals and corbels of the church are undamaged, like this contortionist under the roof, demonstrating his flexibility.

A "villa Tauriaca" was given to the Bishop of Le Mans already in 585 by some Alderic. At that time probably a chapel existed here. The portal seen today dates to the 12th. century - and it is unusual, as it does have tympana in the flanking arches. Modifications were made, when the church got fortified in the 16th century, but meanwhile the portal is pretty much back to the original state. This is the tympanum from the right arch. The stone and the carving style differ from all other carvings around. It seems to be older and may explain, that the expression "merovingian" somewhere. There is an inscription around the "Agnus Dei" and another one on the bottom, but other than "pax" I could not decipher any word.

A "villa Tauriaca" was given to the Bishop of Le Mans already in 585 by some Alderic. At that time probably a chapel existed here. The portal seen today dates to the 12th. century - and it is unusual, as it does have tympana in the flanking arches. Modifications were made, when the church got fortified in the 16th century, but meanwhile the portal is pretty much back to the original state. Some of the corbels and most of the capitals went through the centuries without much damage.