Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Charente 16

Legends tell, that Saint Amantius, born 520 in Bordeaux, lived a pious life here and did miracles. He died around 600 and his tomb was the center of the abbey founded here. The monks followed the Benedictine rule from about 1000 on. Placed near the Via Turonensis a large church was needed. It got erected from 1125 on. The church, seen here, got consecrated in November 1170. The abbey thrived and owned 16 priories alone. A blaze caused much damage to the convent in the 13th. century. Within the next century choir and cloister got rebuilt in Gothic style, but the 100 Years War stopped the development. A decline started and in 1774 the last monk had left. As even the Maurists were not interested, the a royal edict ended the history of the abbey. After the French Revolution all convent buildings were sold. The church since then serves the parish. Near the crossing are many carvings. Here are two large vegetarian lions. In paradies all carnivores will become vegans. But that may be a long way.

Legends tell, that Saint Amantius, born 520 in Bordeaux, lived a pious life here and did miracles. He died around 600 and his tomb was the center of the abbey founded here. The monks followed the Benedictine rule from about 1000 on. Placed near the Via Turonensis a large church was needed. It got erected from 1125 on. The church, seen here, got consecrated in November 1170. The abbey thrived and owned 16 priories alone. A blaze caused much damage to the convent in the 13th. century. Within the next century choir and cloister got rebuilt in Gothic style, but the 100 Years War stopped the development. A decline started and in 1774 the last monk had left. As even the Maurists were not interested, the a royal edict ended the history of the abbey. After the French Revolution all convent buildings were sold. The church since then serves the parish. Near the crossing are many carvings. Here is a nicely composed symetric chaos creatde by birds, snakes, lions..

Legends tell, that Saint Amantius, born 520 in Bordeaux, lived a pious life here and did miracles. He died around 600 and his tomb was the center of the abbey founded here. The monks followed the Benedictine rule from about 1000 on. Placed near the Via Turonensis a large church was needed. It got erected from 1125 on. The church, seen here, got consecrated in November 1170. The abbey thrived and owned 16 priories alone. A blaze caused much damage to the convent in the 13th. century. Within the next century choir and cloister got rebuilt in Gothic style, but the 100 Years War stopped the development. A decline started and in 1774 the last monk had left. As even the Maurists were not interested, the a royal edict ended the history of the abbey. After the French Revolution all convent buildings were sold. The church since then serves the parish. Looking up to the dome over the crossing.

Legends tell, that Saint Amantius, born 520 in Bordeaux, lived a pious life here and did miracles. He died around 600 and his tomb was the center of the abbey founded here. The monks followed the Benedictine rule from about 1000 on. Placed near the Via Turonensis a large church was needed. It got erected from 1125 on. The church, seen here, got consecrated in November 1170. The abbey thrived and owned 16 priories alone. A blaze caused much damage to the convent in the 13th. century. Within the next century choir and cloister got rebuilt in Gothic style, but the 100 Years War stopped the development. A decline started and in 1774 the last monk had left. As even the Maurists were not interested, the a royal edict ended the history of the abbey. After the French Revolution all convent buildings were sold. The church since then serves the parish. The long Romanesque nave, seen from the main portal (west).

Legends tell, that Saint Amantius, born 520 in Bordeaux, lived a pious life here and did miracles. He died around 600 and his tomb was the center of the abbey founded here. The monks followed the Benedictine rule from about 1000 on. Placed near the Via Turonensis a large church was needed. It got erected from 1125 on. The church, seen here, got consecrated in November 1170. The abbey thrived and owned 16 priories alone. A blaze caused much damage to the convent in the 13th. century. Within the next century choir and cloister got rebuilt in Gothic style, but the 100 Years War stopped the development. A decline started and in 1774 the last monk had left. As even the Maurists were not interested, the a royal edict ended the history of the abbey. After the French Revolution all convent buildings were sold. The church since then serves the parish. The Gothic choir, erected after the blaze had destroyed the older one in the 13th century, seems to have some static problems. There is a supporting metal/wood construction, that runs along the wall just below the corbels.

Legends tell, that Saint Amantius, born 520 in Bordeaux, lived a pious life here and did miracles. He died around 600 and his tomb was the center of the abbey founded here. The monks followed the Benedictine rule from about 1000 on. Placed near the Via Turonensis a large church was needed. It got erected from 1125 on. The church, seen here, got consecrated in November 1170. The abbey thrived and owned 16 priories alone. A blaze caused much damage to the convent in the 13th. century. Within the next century choir and cloister got rebuilt in Gothic style, but the 100 Years War stopped the development. A decline started and in 1774 the last monk had left. As even the Maurists were not interested, the a royal edict ended the history of the abbey. After the French Revolution all convent buildings were sold. The church since then serves the parish. The left arm of the transept has a couple of blind arches. Here is a closer look on one of them. The very weathered tympanum has Saint Peter ("key") flanked by two apostles. I am not sure, but the very left "object" of the frieze may be a mermaid. Further right a "Master of the Beasts", a lion fighter (samson?) and a lion entangled by vines. Mythical creatures populate the archivolt.

Legends tell, that Saint Amantius, born 520 in Bordeaux, lived a pious life here and did miracles. He died around 600 and his tomb was the center of the abbey founded here. The monks followed the Benedictine rule from about 1000 on. Placed near the Via Turonensis a large church was needed. It got erected from 1125 on. The church, seen here, got consecrated in November 1170. The abbey thrived and owned 16 priories alone. A blaze caused much damage to the convent in the 13th. century. Within the next century choir and cloister got rebuilt in Gothic style, but the 100 Years War stopped the development. A decline started and in 1774 the last monk had left. As even the Maurists were not interested, the a royal edict ended the history of the abbey. After the French Revolution all convent buildings were sold. The church since then serves the parish. The transepts left arm has a couple of blind arches. The style is very typical for the area, very similar ones can be seen in Angoulême (20kms south). The former side entrance got bricked up.

Legends tell, that Saint Amantius, born 520 in Bordeaux, lived a pious life here and did miracles. He died around 600 and his tomb was the center of the abbey founded here. The monks followed the Benedictine rule from about 1000 on. Placed near the Via Turonensis a large church was needed. It got erected from 1125 on. The church, seen here, got consecrated in November 1170. The abbey thrived and owned 16 priories alone. A blaze caused much damage to the convent in the 13th. century. Within the next century choir and cloister got rebuilt in Gothic style, but the 100 Years War stopped the development. A decline started and in 1774 the last monk had left. As even the Maurists were not interested, the a royal edict ended the history of the abbey. After the French Revolution all convent buildings were sold. The church since then serves the parish. Only few remains of the cloister still exist.

Legends tell, that Saint Amantius, born 520 in Bordeaux, lived a pious life here and did miracles. He died around 600 and his tomb was the center of the abbey founded here. The monks followed the Benedictine rule from about 1000 on. Placed near the Via Turonensis a large church was needed. It got erected from 1125 on. The church, seen here, got consecrated in November 1170. The abbey thrived and owned 16 priories alone. A blaze caused much damage to the convent in the 13th. century. Within the next century choir and cloister got rebuilt in Gothic style, but the 100 Years War stopped the development. A decline started and in 1774 the last monk had left. As even the Maurists were not interested, the a royal edict ended the history of the abbey. After the French Revolution all convent buildings were sold. The church since then serves the parish.

The Visigoths, who followed the arian version of Christianity, had built a cathedral here, dedicated to Saint-Saturnin. When Clovis took over the town, after his Frankish troops had beaten the Visigoths, led by Alaric II, in the Battle of Vouillé (507), he had the Visigothic church demolished to build a new one dedicated to Saint-Pierre and consecrated in 560. This church burnt down, when the Vikings (aka Normans) sacked the town mid of the 8th century. A third cathedral was constructed and was consecrated in 1017. At the beginning of the 12th century, when the pilgrimage to Santiago boomed, this existing church was considered too small and too "humble". The erection of the new, larger cathedral started in 1110 and was completed already in 1128. The church's original appearance was modified a couple of times later. The Wars of Religion caused great damage here, one of the towers got completely destroyed. The restorations of the 19th century, led by Paul Abadie, ended in many more alterations. He even added the two flanking towers with conical tops, what Marcel Durliat did not like at all. Paul Abadie later built Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. His restorations are disputed, where ever he worked (eg Sainte-Croix (Bordeaux), Saint-Front (Périgueux). Most of his works seem "overrenovated", following his idea of a medieval structure. The cathedral´s nave - and the domes above.

The Visigoths, who followed the arian version of Christianity, had built a cathedral here, dedicated to Saint-Saturnin. When Clovis took over the town, after his Frankish troops had beaten the Visigoths, led by Alaric II, in the Battle of Vouillé (507), he had the Visigothic church demolished to build a new one dedicated to Saint-Pierre and consecrated in 560. This church burnt down, when the Vikings (aka Normans) sacked the town mid of the 8th century. A third cathedral was constructed and was consecrated in 1017. At the beginning of the 12th century, when the pilgrimage to Santiago boomed, this existing church was considered too small and too "humble". The erection of the new, larger cathedral started in 1110 and was completed already in 1128. The church's original appearance was modified a couple of times later. The Wars of Religion caused great damage here, one of the towers got completely destroyed. The restorations of the 19th century, led by Paul Abadie, ended in many more alterations. He even added the two flanking towers with conical tops, what Marcel Durliat did not like at all. Paul Abadie later built Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. His restorations are disputed, where ever he worked (eg Sainte-Croix (Bordeaux), Saint-Front (Périgueux). Most of his works seem "overrenovated", following his idea of a medieval structure. The dome over the cathedral´s crossing, seen from the top floor of the "Musée d’Angoulême".

The Visigoths, who followed the arian version of Christianity, had built a cathedral here, dedicated to Saint-Saturnin. When Clovis took over the town, after his Frankish troops had beaten the Visigoths, led by Alaric II, in the Battle of Vouillé (507), he had the Visigothic church demolished to build a new one dedicated to Saint-Pierre and consecrated in 560. This church burnt down, when the Vikings (aka Normans) sacked the town mid of the 8th century. A third cathedral was constructed and was consecrated in 1017. At the beginning of the 12th century, when the pilgrimage to Santiago boomed, this existing church was considered too small and too "humble". The erection of the new, larger cathedral started in 1110 and was completed already in 1128. The church's original appearance was modified a couple of times later. The Wars of Religion caused great damage here, one of the towers got completely destroyed. The restorations of the 19th century, led by Paul Abadie, ended in many more alterations. He even added the two flanking towers with conical tops, what Marcel Durliat did not like at all. Paul Abadie later built Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. His restorations are disputed, where ever he worked (eg Sainte-Croix (Bordeaux), Saint-Front (Périgueux). Most of his works seem "overrenovated", following his idea of a medieval structure. Seen here are the apse, the Romanesque bell tower and the dome the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre. The building to the right, once the palace of the bishop, now serves as the "Musée d’Angoulême". musee-angouleme.fr/

The Visigoths, who followed the arian version of Christianity, had built a cathedral here, dedicated to Saint-Saturnin. When Clovis took over the town, after his Frankish troops had beaten the Visigoths, led by Alaric II, in the Battle of Vouillé (507), he had the Visigothic church demolished to build a new one dedicated to Saint-Pierre and consecrated in 560. This church burnt down, when the Vikings (aka Normans) sacked the town mid of the 8th century. A third cathedral was constructed and was consecrated in 1017. At the beginning of the 12th century, when the pilgrimage to Santiago boomed, this existing church was considered too small and too "humble". The erection of the new, larger cathedral started in 1110 and was completed already in 1128. The church's original appearance was modified a couple of times later. The Wars of Religion caused great damage here, one of the towers got completely destroyed. The restorations of the 19th century, led by Paul Abadie, ended in many more alterations. He even added the two flanking towers with conical tops, what Marcel Durliat did not like at all. Paul Abadie later built Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. His restorations are disputed, where ever he worked (eg Sainte-Croix (Bordeaux), Saint-Front (Périgueux). Most of his works seem "overrenovated", following his idea of a medieval structure. Seen from the side is the "surviving" Romanesque belltower. It reminds strongly on Italian campaniles. Like Saintes (Abbaye aux Dames), Souillac and Solignac the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre has domes. One can be seen here.

The Visigoths, who followed the arian version of Christianity, had built a cathedral here, dedicated to Saint-Saturnin. When Clovis took over the town, after his Frankish troops had beaten the Visigoths, led by Alaric II, in the Battle of Vouillé (507), he had the Visigothic church demolished to build a new one dedicated to Saint-Pierre and consecrated in 560. This church burnt down, when the Vikings (aka Normans) sacked the town mid of the 8th century. A third cathedral was constructed and was consecrated in 1017. At the beginning of the 12th century, when the pilgrimage to Santiago boomed, this existing church was considered too small and too "humble". The erection of the new, larger cathedral started in 1110 and was completed already in 1128. The church's original appearance was modified a couple of times later. The Wars of Religion caused great damage here, one of the towers got completely destroyed. The restorations of the 19th century, led by Paul Abadie, ended in many more alterations. He even added the two flanking towers with conical tops, what Marcel Durliat did not like at all. Paul Abadie later built Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. His restorations are disputed, where ever he worked (eg Sainte-Croix (Bordeaux), Saint-Front (Périgueux). Most of his works seem "overrenovated", following his idea of a medieval structure. Here is the upper part of one of the facade´s blind arches. The frieze has a fighting scene and above are three apostles. Saint Peter to the right, followed by two evangelists (holdig bibles). The carving style is very smooth and elegant, even for the Poitou area.

built a cathedral here, dedicated to Saint-Saturnin. When Clovis took over the town, after his Frankish troops had beaten the Visigoths, led by Alaric II, in the Battle of Vouillé (507), he had the Visigothic church demolished to build a new one dedicated to Saint-Pierre and consecrated in 560. This church burnt down, when the Vikings (aka Normans) sacked the town mid of the 8th century. A third cathedral was constructed and was consecrated in 1017. At the beginning of the 12th century, when the pilgrimage to Santiago boomed, this existing church was considered too small and too "humble". The erection of the new, larger cathedral started in 1110 and was completed already in 1128. The church's original appearance was modified a couple of times later. The Wars of Religion caused great damage here, one of the towers got completely destroyed. The restorations of the 19th century, led by Paul Abadie, ended in many more alterations. He even added the two flanking towers with conical tops, what Marcel Durliat did not like at all. Paul Abadie later built Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. His restorations are disputed, where ever he worked (eg Sainte-Croix (Bordeaux), Saint-Front (Périgueux). Most of his works seem "overrenovated", following his idea of a medieval structure. Here is the upper part of the facade, the oldest part of the cathedral, as the building process started in 1110 here. Seen in the Ascension. The carving style is basically typical for the Poitou-Charentes, but maybe a bit smoother.

The Visigoths, who followed the arian version of Christianity, had built a cathedral here, dedicated to Saint-Saturnin. When Clovis took over the town, after his Frankish troops had beaten the Visigoths, led by Alaric II, in the Battle of Vouillé (507), he had the Visigothic church demolished to build a new one dedicated to Saint-Pierre and consecrated in 560. This church burnt down, when the Vikings (aka Normans) sacked the town mid of the 8th century. A third cathedral was constructed and was consecrated in 1017. At the beginning of the 12th century, when the pilgrimage to Santiago boomed, this existing church was considered too small and too "humble". The erection of the new, larger cathedral started in 1110 and was completed already in 1128. The church's original appearance was modified a couple of times later. The Wars of Religion caused great damage here, one of the towers got completely destroyed. The restorations of the 19th century, led by Paul Abadie, ended in many more alterations. He even added the two flanking towers with conical tops, what Marcel Durliat did not like at all. Paul Abadie later built Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. His restorations are disputed, where ever he worked (eg Sainte-Croix (Bordeaux), Saint-Front (Périgueux). Most of his works seem "overrenovated", following his idea of a medieval structure. Here is a closer look onto the "renovated" facade. This is the oldest part of the cathedral, as the building process started in 1110 here. Two themes can be seen, the Ascension and the Last Judgement. On the right is Saint Martin, cutting his cloak in two, on the left Saint George, killing the dragon.

The Visigoths, who followed the arian version of Christianity, had built a cathedral here, dedicated to Saint-Saturnin. When Clovis took over the town, after his Frankish troops had beaten the Visigoths, led by Alaric II, in the Battle of Vouillé (507), he had the Visigothic church demolished to build a new one dedicated to Saint-Pierre and consecrated in 560. This church burnt down, when the Vikings (aka Normans) sacked the town mid of the 8th century. A third cathedral was constructed and was consecrated in 1017. At the beginning of the 12th century, when the pilgrimage to Santiago boomed, this existing church was considered too small and too "humble". The erection of the new, larger cathedral started in 1110 and was completed already in 1128. The church's original appearance was modified a couple of times later. The Wars of Religion caused great damage here, one of the towers got completely destroyed. The restorations of the 19th century, led by Paul Abadie, ended in many more alterations. He even added the two flanking towers with conical tops, what Marcel Durliat did not like at all. Paul Abadie later built Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. His restorations are disputed, where ever he worked (eg Sainte-Croix (Bordeaux), Saint-Front (Périgueux). Most of his works seem "overrenovated", following his idea of a medieval structure.