Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Latin Cross

The "Chapel of St. Margaret" in the little village of Epfig now serves as cemetery chapel. The chapel was built in the beginning of the 11th. century. From this point of view (standing on the street), the layout of a "Latin Cross" is clearly visible. The structure of the chapel is very sober, not even an apse is added to that cross.

Saint-Georges is located in the center of the village Saint-Jeanvrin (pop. ~200), what means probably since the early times "la fête" is celebtrated right here. We arrived, when the preparation were still ongoing. The church was erected in the first half of the 12th century and then was dedicated to Saint Janvier (= Januarius) hence the name of the village. Like many other churches/priories in the area, it was depended on the Notre-Dame de Déols (about 60kms northwest). Pope Pascal II confirmed this ownership in 1115. The single nave church was erected on the blueprint of a "Latin Cross" and embellished with some nice carvings and even frescoes. In and outside the church are many graffiti likes this one. CLAUCEMESCI ?? - 1589

Saint-Georges is located in the center of the village Saint-Jeanvrin (pop. ~200), what means probably since the early times "la fête" is celebtrated right here. We arrived, when the preparation were still ongoing. The church was erected in the first half of the 12th century and then was dedicated to Saint Janvier (= Januarius) hence the name of the village. Like many other churches/priories in the area, it was depended on the Notre-Dame de Déols (about 60kms northwest). Pope Pascal II confirmed this ownership in 1115. The single nave church was erected on the blueprint of a "Latin Cross" and embellished with some nice carvings and even frescoes. The baptismal font looks archaic. I actually found one informtation, dating the font to the early 12th century, and another info claiming it is "older than the church" and may have used already in a "predeceding church here". I have the impression it is pre-Romanesque.

Saint-Georges is located in the center of the village Saint-Jeanvrin (pop. ~200), what means probably since the early times "la fête" is celebtrated right here. We arrived, when the preparation were still ongoing. The church was erected in the first half of the 12th century and then was dedicated to Saint Janvier (= Januarius) hence the name of the village. Like many other churches/priories in the area, it was depended on the Notre-Dame de Déols (about 60kms northwest). Pope Pascal II confirmed this ownership in 1115. The single nave church was erected on the blueprint of a "Latin Cross" and embellished with some nice carvings and even frescoes. The capital hides a sternly looking sentinel watching the scene below.

Saint-Georges is located in the center of the village Saint-Jeanvrin (pop. ~200), what means probably since the early times "la fête" is celebtrated right here. We arrived, when the preparation were still ongoing. The church was erected in the first half of the 12th century and then was dedicated to Saint Janvier (= Januarius) hence the name of the village. Like many other churches/priories in the area, it was depended on the Notre-Dame de Déols (about 60kms northwest). Pope Pascal II confirmed this ownership in 1115. The single nave church was erected on the blueprint of a "Latin Cross" and embellished with some nice carvings and even frescoes. The capital near the crossing depicts a bearded person holding a crozier (?) and a vine stock. An abbot? To the right - and only partly visible from this pov are fighting dragons.

Saint-Georges is located in the center of the village Saint-Jeanvrin (pop. ~200), what means probably since the early times "la fête" is celebtrated right here. We arrived, when the preparation were still ongoing. The church was erected in the first half of the 12th century and then was dedicated to Saint Janvier (= Januarius) hence the name of the village. Like many other churches/priories in the area, it was depended on the Notre-Dame de Déols (about 60kms northwest). Pope Pascal II confirmed this ownership in 1115. The single nave church was erected on the blueprint of a "Latin Cross" and embellished with some nice carvings. These two musicians will join the annual fête pretty soon. The left one plays a dolio, his confrère a flute.

Saint-Georges is located in the center of the village Saint-Jeanvrin (pop. ~200), what means probably since the early times "la fête" is celebtrated right here. We arrived, when the preparation were still ongoing. The church was erected in the first half of the 12th century and then was dedicated to Saint Janvier (= Januarius) hence the name of the village. Like many other churches/priories in the area, it was depended on the Notre-Dame de Déols (about 60kms northwest). Pope Pascal II confirmed this ownership in 1115. The single nave church was erected on the blueprint of a "Latin Cross" and embellished with some nicely carved capitals. One of them depicts two birds - with very long, interlocked necks.

Saint-Georges is located in the center of the village Saint-Jeanvrin (pop. ~200), what means probably since the early times "la fête" is celebtrated right here. We arrived, when the preparation were still ongoing. The church was erected in the first half of the 12th century and then was dedicated to Saint Janvier (= Januarius) hence the name of the village. Like many other churches/priories in the area, it was depended on the Notre-Dame de Déols (about 60kms northwest). Pope Pascal II confirmed this ownership in 1115. The single nave church was erected on the blueprint of a "Latin Cross" and embellished with some nicely carved capitals.

This wonderful church in tiny Veauce (pop. less than 50) was built within the 11th century. It was given to the abbey of St. Leger of Ebreuil by chevalier Aimon de Veauce, what was approved by pope Paschal II in 1115. Not much more is known about the early history of this church. The architect obviously was very ambitious and did a great job. So this church is sometimes compared with Notre-Dame de Saint-Saturnin. For Bernard Craplet, author of "Auvergne Romane", this is one of the nicest and most interesting churches in the Bourbonnais, mixing architectural influences of the Limagne and the Auvergne. Standing in the nave, facing east. Sainte-Croix, built from whithe limestone, has the "traditional" layout of a Latin Cross. The transept, the choir and the ambulatory are all built in a very homogeneous style within one building phase. Note the cupola over the crossing.

A church existed, near the banks of the river Arno = "Ripa d'Arno", since Carolingian times. When this fell into ruins, the erection of the church seen today, startet in the 10th century. It took more than two centuries, to complete "San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno", that got consecrated already by Pope Eugene III already in 1148. The church belonged to a various convents over the centuries, but since 1798 the church serves the parish. The church is a three-aisled basilica on the floor plan of a Latin cross with wonderful details on the western facade. Mid 19th century the church underwent a major reconstruction - and suffered great damage during WWII. It got restorated in the early 1950s.

A church existed, near the banks of the river Arno = "Ripa d'Arno", since Carolingian times. When this fell into ruins, the erection of the church seen today, startet in the 10th century. It took more than two centuries, to complete "San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno", that got consecrated already by Pope Eugene III already in 1148. The church belonged to a various convents over the centuries, but since 1798 the church serves the parish. The church is a three-aisled basilica on the floor plan of a Latin cross. The crossing has a pendentive cupola. Mid 19th century the church underwent a major reconstruction - and suffered great damage during WWII. It got restorated in the early 1950s, but as seen here, needs efforts again - and so it was cordoned off in March 2013.

Saint-George belonged to the cathedral chapter of nearby Soissons, when it was erected from the end of the 11th century on. It can be easily seen from the hill, that the church was built on the floorplan of a Latin Cross. The black, wooden spire over the crossing was added during the 19th century.

Saint-Aulais-la-Chapelle, a village with a population of not even 300, hosts three Romanesque churches! One of these is Saint-Jaques in the tiny Hamlet of Conzac. Erected within the 12th century as a Cluniac priory church when pilgrims took a break here on their way to Santiago de Compostella. They still had about 1000 kms to walk from here. The priory and the church got severely damaged during the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion. The church, once built on the blueprint of a Latin Cross, lost one arm of the transept, the facade and a large part of the nave. The nave got rebuilt in the 17th century, but now is shorter than it was originally. The Romanesque apse and the crossing, seen here, survived the times.

Saint-Aulais-la-Chapelle, a village with a population of not even 300, hosts three Romanesque churches! One of these is Saint-Jaques in the tiny Hamlet of Conzac. Erected within the 12th century as a Cluniac priory church when pilgrims took a break here on their way to Santiago de Compostella. They still had about 1000 kms to walk from here. The priory and the church got severely damaged during the Wars of Religions. The church, once built on the blueprint of a Latin Cross, lost one arm of the transept, the facade and a large part of the nave. The nave got rebuilt, but now is shorter, that it was once. The Romanesque apse - survived the times.

Saint-Pierre, parish church of Champagnolles (pop. 500), got erected on the floorplan of a Latin Cross in the second half of the 12th century. To enrich the floorplan, semicircular absidioles were added in the east. The builders did not invest much artistic creativity into the portal or the interior, as only some rough capitals can be found there. They obviously concentrated on the rich decoration of eastern walls of Saint-Pierre. All around the apses are dozends of carved mystic corbels and capitals. This church is known for "rude" carvings, and after having uploaded exhibitionists, megaphalli, kisses and couples, this mermaid marks the end of my stay in Champagnolles. She has lost her fins, but still has wonderful braids - and bright eyes.

Saint-Pierre, parish church of Champagnolles (pop. 500), got erected on the floorplan of a Latin Cross in the second half of the 12th century. To enrich the floorplan, semicircular absidioles were added in the east. The builders did not invest much artistic creativity into the portal or the interior, as only some rough capitals can be found there. They obviously concentrated on the rich decoration of eastern walls of Saint-Pierre. All around the apses are dozends of carved mystic corbels and capitals. This church is known for "rude" carvings, and after having uploaded exhibitionists, megaphalli and loving couples, this "French kiss" ends my stay in Champagnolles, as otherwise I would get lost in this theme.

Saint-Pierre, parish church of Champagnolles (pop. 500), got erected on the floorplan of a Latin Cross in the second half of the 12th century. To enrich the floorplan, semicircular absidioles were added in the east. The builders did not invest much artistic creativity into the portal or the interior, as only some rough capitals can be found there. They obviously concentrated on the rich decoration of eastern walls of Saint-Pierre. All around the apses are dozends of carved mystic corbels and capitals. Actually this church is known for "rude" carvings, and after the exhibitionists, megaphallic carvings and the loving couples, even the animals are sexually active. Here are lions, obviously caught in the act mating.

Saint-Pierre, parish church of Champagnolles (pop. 500), got erected on the floorplan of a Latin Cross in the second half of the 12th century. To enrich the floorplan, semicircular absidioles were added in the east. The builders did not invest much artistic creativity into the portal or the interior, as only some rough capitals can be found there. They obviously concentrated on the rich decoration of eastern walls of Saint-Pierre. All around the apses are dozends of carved mystic corbels and capitals. Actually this church is known for "rude" carvings, and after the exhibitionists, megaphallic carvings and the loving couple... Here is another couple - and I do see another mega-phallus. But it may well be, that what the diagonal structure is an arm and the male to the right covers his genitals.