Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Saint-Martin

The parish church of Bellenaves, dedicated to Saint Martin, was a part of priory, when it was built in the second half of the 12th century. The carvings in- and outside the church differ totally in artistic style and technic. Here, just a few meters away from the "elegant" and very "artistic"-one, a capital carved in a very rough and archaic style. A man, standing in the middle between two evil dragons. Though the beasts, having two feet, wings, a dragon´s tail and a crocodile´s head, obviously try hard to frighten the guy. He seems stable, standing legs apart. He is not impressed, but very confident. "The dragons cannot harm you. They cannot lay a single finger on you..." was probably part of the sermon.

The parish church of Bellenaves, dedicated to Saint Martin, was a part of priory, when it was built in the second half of the 12th century. The carvings in- and outside the church differ totally in artistic style and technic. Here is a very elegant (marble?) capital. Two large bearded men on the sides, a comparably gigantic head in the middle between them. The two men may fight or dance - or just step forward to "showcase" the head. Then this may be the head of John the Baptist.

The parish church of Bellenaves, dedicated to Saint Martin, was a part of priory, when it was built in the second half of the 12th century. The triangular tympanum seems to have been carved for another place, but it has been here since early times. Christ in the mandorla, two angels holding it. Christ seats on a piece of architecture, arcades can be seen. This is typical for the Burgundian style, often seen about 100 kms northeast. But the details, carved perfectly in the Brionnais, lack that certain elegance here. The lintel depicts the "Last Supper" - and to the very right the "Washing of the Feet".

The parish church of Bellenaves, dedicated to Saint Martin, was a part of priory, when it was built in the second half of the 12th century. The western facade, seen here, with the central portal and the arcades above is clearly influenced by the burgundian architecture. When the bell-tower over the crossing was finished, the gothic style was already dominant.

This church was a big surprise for me. It is visible from outside, that there is something strange, as the tower is just too massive.. It is not a "tower". This an octagonal chapel, that dates back to the 9th century. This is a Carolingian structure, related to Charlemagne´s octagonal "Palatine Chapel" in Aachen (= "Aix-la-Chapelle") and the oratory in Germigny-des-Prés. There is no town near. The chapel is placed "in the middle of nowhere" next to the small river Isle. Many human bones were found during excavations, that may be even older than the rotunda. Was there a battle? Was there a cemetery? A "hospital"? Or was this a baptisterium? It is claimed here, that this is not the only such building in the Dordogne area, but in France! There are no graffiti outside the rotunda, but quite a lot around the entrance doors of the Romanesque nave. Crosses were often carved in by "pelerins".

This church was a big surprise for me. It is visible from outside, that there is something strange, as the tower is just too massive.. It is not a "tower". This an octagonal chapel, that dates back to the 9th century. This is a Carolingian structure, related to Charlemagne´s octagonal "Palatine Chapel" in Aachen (= "Aix-la-Chapelle") and the oratory in Germigny-des-Prés. There is no town near. The chapel is placed "in the middle of nowhere" next to the small river Isle. Many human bones were found during excavations, that may be even older than the rotunda. Was there a battle? Was there a cemetery? A "hospital"? Or was this a baptisterium? It is claimed here, that this is not the only such building in the Dordogne area, but in France! There are no graffiti outside the rotunda, but quite a lot around the entrance doors of the Romanesque nave.

This church was a big surprise for me. It is visible from outside, that there is something strange, as the tower is just too massive.. It is not a "tower". This an octagonal chapel, that dates back to the 9th century. This is a Carolingian structure, related to Charlemagne´s octagonal "Palatine Chapel" in Aachen (= "Aix-la-Chapelle") and the oratory in Germigny-des-Prés. There is no town near. The chapel is placed "in the middle of nowhere" next to the small river Isle. Many human bones were found during excavations, that may be even older than the rotunda. Was there a battle? Was there a cemetery? A "hospital"? Or was this a baptisterium? It is claimed here, that this is not the only such building in the Dordogne area, but in France! Inside the octagon - under the dome.

This church was a big surprise for me. It is visible from outside, that there is something strange, as the tower is just too massive.. It is not a "tower". This an octagonal chapel, that dates back to the 9th century. This is a Carolingian structure, related to Charlemagne´s octagonal "Palatine Chapel" in Aachen (= "Aix-la-Chapelle") and the oratory in Germigny-des-Prés. There is no town near. The chapel is placed "in the middle of nowhere" next to the small river Isle. Many human bones were found during excavations, that may be even older than the rotunda. Was there a battle? Was there a cemetery? A "hospital"? Or was this a baptisterium? It is claimed here, that this is not the only such building in the Dordogne area, but in France! Inside the octagon.

This church was a big surprise for me. It is visible from outside, that there is something strange, as the tower is just too massive.. It is not a "tower". This an octagonal chapel, that dates back to the 9th century. This is a Carolingian structure, related to Charlemagne´s octagonal "Palatine Chapel" in Aachen (= "Aix-la-Chapelle") and the oratory in Germigny-des-Prés. There is no town near. The chapel is placed "in the middle of nowhere" next to the small river Isle. Many human bones were found during excavations, that may be even older than the rotunda. Was there a battle? Was there a cemetery? A "hospital"? Or was this a baptisterium? It is claimed here, that this is not the only such building in the Dordogne area, but in France! Inside the octagon.

This church was a big surprise for me. It is visible from outside, that there is something strange, as the tower is just too massive.. It is not a "tower". This an octagonal chapel, that dates back to the 9th century. This is a Carolingian structure, related to Charlemagne´s octagonal "Palatine Chapel" in Aachen (= "Aix-la-Chapelle") and the oratory in Germigny-des-Prés. There is no town near. The chapel is placed "in the middle of nowhere" next to the small river Isle. Many human bones were found during excavations, that may be even older than the rotunda. Was there a battle? Was there a cemetery? A "hospital"? Or was this a baptisterium? It is claimed here, that this is not the only such building in the Dordogne area, but in France! A small portal opens just behind the altar. I am not sure about the slightly pointed archivolt, but the flanking sculptures and the pair of "Coquilles Saint-Jacques" are probably 19th century (or even younger).

This church was a big surprise for me. It is visible from outside, that there is something strange, as the tower is just too massive.. It is not a "tower". This an octagonal chapel, that dates back to the 9th century. This is a Carolingian structure, related to Charlemagne´s octagonal "Palatine Chapel" in Aachen (= "Aix-la-Chapelle") and the oratory in Germigny-des-Prés. There is no town near. The chapel is placed "in the middle of nowhere" next to the small river Isle. Many human bones were found during excavations, that may be even older than the rotunda. Was there a battle? Was there a cemetery? A "hospital"? Or was this a baptisterium? It is claimed here, that this is not the only such building in the Dordogne area, but in France! The Romanesque nave that was added to the rotunda within the 12th century is not spectacular. The nave may have been ercted for the pilgrims who could cross the river nearby.

This church, here seen from the parking lot, was a big surprise for me. It is visible that there is something strange, as the tower is just too massive.. It is not a "tower". This an octagonal chapel, that dates back to the 9th century. This is a Carolingian structure, related to Charlemagne´s octagonal "Palatine Chapel" in Aachen (= "Aix-la-Chapelle") and the oratory in Germigny-des-Prés. There is no town near. The chapel is placed "in the center of nowhere" next to the small river Isle. Was there a ford? Many human bones were found during excavations, that may be even older than the rotunda. Was there a battle? Was there a cemetery? A "hospital"? Or was this a baptisterium? It is claimed here, that this is not the only such building in the Dordogne area, but in France! The Romanesque nave was added to the older structure within the 12th century. The cemetery in front is modern.

This church, here seen from the parking lot, was a big surprise for me. It is visible that there is something strange, as the tower is just too massive.. It is not a "tower". This an octagonal chapel, that dates back to the 9th century. This is a Carolingian structure, related to Charlemagne´s octagonal "Palatine Chapel" in Aachen (= "Aix-la-Chapelle") and the oratory in Germigny-des-Prés. There is no town near. The chapel is placed "in the center of nowhere" next to the small river Isle. "LÍsle. Was there a ford? Many human bones were found during excavations, that may be even older than the rotunda. Was there a battle? Was there a cemetery? A "hospital"? Or was this a baptisterium? It is claimed here, that this is not the only such building in the Dordogne area, but in France! The Romanesque nave was added to the older structure within the 12th century.