Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Bussière-Badil

A priory had existed here already from 768 on. The Benedictine abbey was founded 1088, the church of today was built in the 12th century replacing a previous, smaller church, erected probably in the 10th century. The abbey belonged to the Sacra di San Michele Abbey in Piedmont (more than 700 kms east). The church was strongly fortified and had battlements, watchtowers and even moats at that time. The facade got heavily vandalized during the French Revolution, when the rioting revolutionists used hammers to destroy sculptures and carvings. Obviously the vandals could not enter the interior. All the capitals along the nave are undamaged. Here are three flutists. Actually I have never seen such complex flutes. Maybe one of the "pre-1800"-experts can tell me something about.

A priory had existed here already from 768 on. The Benedictine abbey was founded 1088, the church of today was built in the 12th century replacing a previous, smaller church, erected probably in the 10th century. The abbey belonged to the Sacra di San Michele Abbey in Piedmont (more than 700 kms east). The church was strongly fortified and had battlements, watchtowers and even moats at that time. The facade got heavily vandalized during the French Revolution, when the rioting revolutionists used hammers to destroy sculptures and carvings. Obviously the vandals could not enter the interior. All the capitals along the nave are undamaged. Here is a long haired, bearded merman and - to the right- his wife.

A priory had existed here already from 768 on. The Benedictine abbey was founded 1088, the church of today was built in the 12th century replacing a previous, smaller church, erected probably in the 10th century. The abbey belonged to the Sacra di San Michele Abbey in Piedmont (more than 700 kms east). The church was strongly fortified and had battlements, watchtowers and even moats at that time. The facade got heavily vandalized during the French Revolution, when the rioting revolutionists used hammers to destroy sculptures and carvings. Obviously the vandals could not enter the interior. All the capitals along the nave are undamaged.

A priory had existed here already from 768 on. The Benedictine abbey was founded 1088, the church of today was built in the 12th century replacing a previous, smaller church, erected probably in the 10th century. The abbey belonged to the Sacra di San Michele Abbey in Piedmont (more than 700 kms east). The church was strongly fortified and had battlements, watchtowers and even moats at that time. The facade got heavily vandalized during the French Revolution, when the rioting revolutionists used hammers to destroy sculptures and carvings. All sculptures seen around the main portal got beheaded by the vandals.

A priory had existed here already from 768 on. The Benedictine abbey was founded 1088, the church of today was built in the 12th century replacing a previous, smaller church, erected probably in the 10th century. The abbey belonged to the Sacra di San Michele Abbey in Piedmont (more than 700 kms east). The church was strongly fortified and had battlements, watchtowers and even moats at that time. The facade got heavily vandalized during the French Revolution, when the rioting revolutionists used hammers to destroy sculptures and carvings. This (for me) does not look like a tympanum. Here fragments are "glued" together that were found, after the vandals had left. In the center is a (headless) sculture. The upper band (and the right side if the center) depict scenes from hell. The left side of the center may depict the shepherds of Bethlehem. The lower one has battle scenes.

A priory had existed here already from 768 on. The Benedictine abbey was founded 1088, the church of today was built in the 12th century replacing a previous, smaller church, erected probably in the 10th century. The abbey belonged to the Sacra di San Michele Abbey in Piedmont (more than 700 kms east). The church was strongly fortified and had battlements, watchtowers and even moats at that time. The facade, seen here in the shadow, got not only modified later (rose window), but as well heavily vandalized during the French Revolution, when the rioting revolutionists used hammers to destroy sculptures and carvings. -- Breaking News... The Sacra di San Michele Abbey was devasted by a fire on 24. Jan. 2018 Here is a video www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXEQH8QpYb4

A priory had existed here already from 768 on. The Benedictine abbey was founded 1088, the church of today was built in the 12th century replacing a previous, smaller church, erected probably in the 10th century. The abbey belonged to the Sacra di San Michele Abbey in Piedmont (more than 700 kms east). The church was strongly fortified and had battlements, watchtowers and even moats at that time. Not only around the apse are nice corbels. Here are the two exotoc animals (see prev. uploads) side by side.

A priory had existed here already from 768 on. The Benedictine abbey was founded 1088, the church of today was built in the 12th century replacing a previous, smaller church, erected probably in the 10th century. The abbey belonged to the Sacra di San Michele Abbey in Piedmont (more than 700 kms east). The church was strongly fortified and had battlements, watchtowers and even moats at that time. Not only around the apse are nice corbels. Under the roof of the nave is this elephant. Medieval elephants are a really rare species, as only three elephants have been in Europe on medieval times. - "Abul Abbas" (+810) owned by Charlemagne, a present from Harun al-Rashid. - The so called "Cremona-elephant" owned by Frederik II in 1229, a present from Al-Kamil al-Malik. - The elephant brought to France by Louis IX (Saint Louis) in 1255 on his return from the 6th cruisade and presented to Henry III. This elephant died in London 1258.

A priory had existed here already from 768 on. The Benedictine abbey was founded 1088, the church of today was built in the 12th century replacing a previous, smaller church, erected probably in the 10th century. The abbey belonged to the Sacra di San Michele Abbey in Piedmont (more than 700 kms east). The church was strongly fortified and had battlements, watchtowers and even moats at that time. Not only around the apse are nice corbels. This monkey is under the roof of the nave.

A priory had existed here already from 768 on. The Benedictine abbey was founded 1088, the church of today was built in the 12th century replacing a previous, smaller church, erected probably in the 10th century. The abbey belonged to the Sacra di San Michele Abbey in Piedmont (more than 700 kms east). The church was strongly fortified and had battlements, watchtowers and even moats at that time. Some of the fortifications can still be seen around the apse, where as well are some nice corbels.

A priory had existed here already from 768 on. The Benedictine abbey was founded 1088, the church of today was built in the 12th century replacing a previous, smaller church, erected probably in the 10th century. The abbey belonged to the Sacra di San Michele Abbey in Piedmont (more than 700 kms east). The church was strongly fortified and had battlements, watchtowers and even moats at that time. In the 15th and 16th century the church got altered and remodeled. -- -- Breaking News... The Sacra di San Michele Abbey was devasted by a fire on 24. Jan. 2018 Here is a video www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXEQH8QpYb4

Once upon a time the "Hôtel et Café de la Mairie" in Bussière-Basil, a small town with a dwindling population of about 400, must have been a thriving business. The rural exodus leaves its marks. 1960 still more than 600 residents lived in Bussière-Badil.