Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: tongue protruder

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1755 after a long fight for independence from Genoa the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. So most of the old churches are in the mountains and some of them are hard to find. When I had found San Quilico (St. Cyr) I realized, that the distance to Santa Maria was just about 500 metres. And they both looked very similar seen from this point of view. They were certainly built at the same time within the 13th century. Oral tradition knows, that the chapels were built by a father (San Quilico) and his son (Santa Maria). The family was clearly influenced by the Pisan style. When I had found San Quilico (St. Cyr) I realized, that the distance to Santa Maria was just about 500 metres. And they both looked very similar seen from this point of view. They were certainly built at the same time within the 13th century. Oral tradition knows, that the chapels were built by a father (San Quilico) and his son (Santa Maria). The family was clearly influenced by the Pisan style. Other than the sober and unpretentious Santa Maria San Quilico is richly adorned with many carvings. Two tongue-protrudres. The right one may be a human.

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. Here are some extraordinary, complex carvings. This capitals is similar to thatones around the apse. Small lions (?) grow out of foliage, the two large lions protrude their tongues. Tongue protruders are pretty common in La Celle (see previous uploads). 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.).

There are two products, this small town, near Riom is pretty famous for. There are the black stones from Volvic, used all over the Auvergne. The gothic cathedral in Clermont-Ferrand is built from the black stones, coming from Volvic. The younger product is the "Volvic" mineral water. Zillions of plastic bottles, filled with Volvic-water leave this place every week or month. Long time before Danone (Evian, Badoit, La Salvetat....) entered the stage in Volvic, this place was owned by St. Priest (aka Priest de Clermont, aka Saint Praejectus), bishop of Clermont. St. Priest was stabbed to death here in 676 and immediately was venerated as a martyr. His sucessor Avitor founded an abbey here, that later was depending from Mozac (1169). The capitals in St. Priest do not have the wonderful, sleek elegance of the carvings seen in the former abbey church in Mozac (5kms east) or Notre-Dame-Du-Port in Clermont-Ferrand (15kms south), but they use the same "icons", that are so typical all over the Auvergne: sirens, griffons, eagles.. Here is one of these familar sights: Two centaurs holding a Y-shaped plant. Actually this seems to be a rough copy of the carving in Mozac, but there is nice specific detail. As here the centaur pokes its tongue out at the beholder!

The 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 in 1115 by pope Paschal II. 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. There are some very nice corbels under the roof of the nave. Here is a "tongue-sticker". Some old "rouge" seems to be still on his cheeks.

Gourgé, a small village (pop. 950) 12 kms northeast of Parthenay, has a nice parish church. It is dedicated to Saint-Hilaire. According to the information given in Gourgé, the erection of the church started already within the 9th century in pre-Romanesque, Carolingian style. The Romanesque nave is clearly younger, the transept was added within the 19th century. Some of the pillars here have capitals with very basic carvings. Here is one. The large head of a tongue protruder and a small angel, both with jug ears.