Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: devouring lion

This church, dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, was a real surprise to me. The single nave structure was probably erected within the 12th century. It was built in a "walking distance" off the pilgrim routes (like "San Pedro de Echano"), as the hamlet Artaiz is just about 10kms north of the "Camino Aragonés". San Martin will have been for sure a stopover for pilgrims, who had visited the tomb of Saint Martin of Tours, following the "Via Turonensis". The masterly composed and carved portal of Saint Martin is extraordinary in the specific iconography, that in parts may reflect the relations to the Islamic neighbours (Reconquista). Here is a script by German arthistorian Hedda Finke about this subject. art.unt.edu/medieval-symposium/presenter.php?year=2009&am... Here are the two evil, devouring lions, that look down to the approaching pilgrims. They are gigantic, compared to the victims. This is fate of all the sinners, all pilgrims knew that.

In a papal bull issued by Pope Alexander III in 1163 this small church is mentioned as part of the priory "Saint-Denis" in Vaux (sur Vienne), about 10 kms west).. The church, dedicated to Sulpice le Pieux, was erected end of the 11th century in a primitive Romanesque style, not at all influenced by the more elegant "style saintonge". Along the western facade runs a gallery, what is rather unique. It is lined with stone benches and probably was the meeting place for the villagers over centuries. The church got remodeled during the 17th century, when it got enlarged and a chapel was added. During the French Revolution the church got damaged. The crumbling apse got demolished and rebuilt during a disputed restauration end of the 19th century. The church is small, but has about 20 carved capitals. Most of them have a strange, primitive style. Devouring lions. are mostly depicted, when they have the human head between the jaws. here the head is gone already - only an arm of the poor victim can still be seen.