Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: heads

The Benedictian abbey Notre Dame in Déols had established a priory here in the 11th century. Located in the center of La Celle (pop 350) is Saint Blaise, the fromer priory´s church. It was erected in two phases (from east to west) during the 12th century. Flying buttresses had to be added in the 18th century, when the structure started to crack. The Benedictian abbey Notre Dame in Déols had established a priory here in the 11th century. Saint Blaise, the priory´s church, was erected in two phases (from east to west) during the 12th century. Flying buttresses had to be added in the 18th century, when the structure of the nave started to crack. Not only around the apse are some extraordinary carvings. Inside the church are some complex capitals as well. The carving style of this one clearly differs from the style of the capitals outside. It may be medieval - or products of the renovation process, but as quarries near the village were already used since Roman times, some stone mason masters may have worked here in medieval times. St. Blasie, one of the "Fourteen Holy Helpers", is the parton saint for stone masons and carvers. Today he is better known for the "Blessing of the Throats", celebrated on he Feast of Saint Blasie (February 3.).

The 12th century church "Notre-Dame de Fleuriel" was once the seat of a priory, connected the abbey in Tournus. Now it is the parish church. It is known for the western portal. I had read, that it is one of the finest in the area of Bourbonnais. This (double) capital with the two heads on the side seems pretty archaic, especially as most other carvings in and outside the church are very delicately carved. It may have been "reused" here in the 12th century, orginally coming from an older building.

The Sire d'Escolles founded a small Cluniac priory here around 1095. The church was built 11th/12th century by the local hermit Mageran, son of the founder, who now is known under the name of Saint-Mazeran and to whom the church is devoted. Already 1152 the church served the parish. The basilica-style-church has five bays and three apses. Though rebuilt a couple of times over the centuries some nice carvings survived. This is the most interesting one. There are three heads with melancholic faces. The heads seem to just have grown out of the pillar. They are like buds - and probably in a couple of days, these buds will be in full bloom.