Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Chadenac

Just like in neighbouring Jarnac-Champagne priory, dependent on the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion, the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts survived the attacks. The priory was sold after the French Revolution and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village. - As I have uploaded already many photos taken here previously, I will just add a few "new" ones. The graffiti, carved into the outer walls of Saint-Martin are younger than, what the medieval pilgrims left on the walls nearby churches. These graffiti may be carved during the time of the French Revolution.

Just like in neighbouring Jarnac-Champagne priory, dependent on the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion, the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts survived the attacks. The priory was sold after the French Revolution and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village. - As I have uploaded already many photos taken here previously, I will just add a few "new" ones. Most graffiti, carved into the outer walls of Saint-Martin are younger than, what the medieval pilgrims left on the walls nearby churches. The sailing boat (??) may be medieval. The letters may be carved during the time of the French Revolution.

Just like in neighbouring Jarnac-Champagne priory, dependent on the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion, the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts survived the attacks. The priory was sold after the French Revolution and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village. - As I have uploaded already many photos taken here previously, I will just add a few "new" ones. I am pretty sure, that the right wrestler is an ape. Maybe even both wrestlers are apes.

Just like in neighbouring Jarnac-Champagne priory, dependent on the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion, the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts survived the attacks. The priory was sold after the French Revolution and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village. - As I have uploaded already many photos taken here previously, I will just add a few "new" ones. - A pair of lions sharing a head can often be found in capitals. Here obviously somebody got a new stone drill and created decorative lines with it.

Just like in neighbouring Jarnac-Champagne priory, dependent on the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion, the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts survived the attacks. The priory was sold after the French Revolution and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village. - As I have uploaded already many photos taken here previously, I will just add a few "new" ones. Facing west to the main entrance.

A priory, dependent from the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion (1562–1598), the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts survived the attacks. The priory was sold after the French Revolution and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village. The main portal in the architectural style, that is typical for the Saintonge. Two blind arches flank the larger arch / doors. There is no central tympanum, but a multitude of archivolts. As the the main theme of the portal´s center is the "Ascension of Christ", it is not surprising to find the "empty tomb" and the "Myrrhbearers" just around the corner. Matthew 28:1 "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb." Mark 16:1-2 "When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb"

A priory, dependent from the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion (1562–1598), the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts survived the attacks. The priory was sold after the French Revolution and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village. The main portal in the architectural style, that is typical for the Saintonge. Two blind arches flank the larger arch / doors. There is no central tympanum, but a multitude of archivolts. A detail from the main archivolt. A large martyr in a blessing gesture, but not holdung the branch of a palm, but an axe, the tool he was martyred with. To the right a child (= soul) devoured by a horrible, evil creature.

A priory, dependent from the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion (1562–1598), the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts survived the attacks. The priory was sold after the French Revolution and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village. The main portal in the architectural style, that is typical for the Saintonge. Two blind arches flank the larger arch / doors. There is no central tympanum, but a multitude of archivolts. Here is the center of the main archivolt over the entrance door of Saint-Martin. In all books I found, the theme is described as "Ascension of Christ", what is right. Christ, crowned like a king and flanked by soldiers, is tiny. Like a grandgrandfather of the Infant Jesus of Prague.

A priory, dependent from the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion (1562–1598), the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts survived the attacks. The priory was sold after the French Revolution and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village. The main portal in the architectural style, that is typical for the Saintonge. Two blind arches flank the larger arch / doors. There is no central tympanum, but a multitude of archivolts. These are the densely populated archivolts of the central arch. Most literature, that the theme of the carvings here is the "Ascension of Christ".

A priory, dependent from the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion (1562–1598), the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts survived the attacks. The priory was sold after the French Revolution and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village. The main portal in the architectural style, that is typical for the Saintonge. Two blind arches flank the larger arch/doors. There is no central tympanum, but a multitude of archivolts. The carvers used local sandstone all over the Saintonge. The softness of these stones enabled them to create fascinating works, but unfortunately these stone tend to weather. If the carvings are not protected by a roof they just "vanish". Here it is still visible, that a tall (crowned?) person is placed in the center. Crist or a saint. Two angels support the mandorla. An evil animal lurks at the left corner.

A priory, dependent from the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion (1562–1598), the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts survived the attacks. The priory was sold after the French Revolution and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village. The main portal in the architectural style, that is typical for the Saintonge. Two blind arches flank the larger arch/doors. There is no central tympanum, but a multitude of archivolts. The carvers used local sandstone all over the Saintonge. The softness of these stones enabled them to create fascinating works, but unfortunately these stone tend to weather. If the carvings are not protected by a roof they may look like this somehow "organic" subject.

A priory, dependent from the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion (1562–1598), the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts survived the attacks. The priory was sold after the French Revolution and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village. The main portal in the architectural style, that is typical for the Saintonge. Two blind arches flank the larger arch/doors. There is no central tympanum, but a multitude of archivolts. The center of the left arch. For a while I saw a human body and above it a kind of large sea-lion. I read about this facade, that the main theme is the fight between good and evil. This would mean, there are two different species, a good one and an evil one. Now I think this is the fight on death between two lions. A hind of the lower lion can clearly be seen to the right. What looks like the sea-lions flipper is the lion´s shoulder - the rest is broken off. The rusted fixation, that once hold that part of the lion can be seen. The archivolt around has entiwned vines - and birds.

A priory, dependent from the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion (1562–1598), the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts survived the attacks. The priory was sold after the French Revolution and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village. The main portal in the architectural style, that is typical for the Saintonge. Two blind arches flank the larger arch/doors. There is no central tympanum, but a multitude of archivolts. The left arch. Another fight in the center (I´ll upload a detailed shot). The capitals in front are very weathered. A pillar-eater to the left, some mythic birds to the right. All large statues of the facade are beheaded and vandalized. Either by the Huguenots or later from the Revolutionists.

A piory, dependent from the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion (1562–1598), the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts survived the attacks. The priory was sold after the French Revolution and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village. The main portal in the architectural style, that is typical for the Saintonge. Two blind arches flank the larger arch/doors. There is no central tympanum, but a multitude of archivolts. A scene over the left arch. Three onlookers from the corbels watch the lions hunting down a sheep.

A piory, dependent from the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion (1562–1598), the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts survived the attacks. The priory was sold after the French Revolution and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village. The main portal in the architectural style, that is typical for the Saintonge. Two blind arches flank the larger arch/doors. There is no central tympanum, but a multitude of archivolts. Vandalized during the French Revoltion, damage visible (, statues, blind arches), but the portal is surprisingly complete, though very weathered due to the soft sandstones, that were used.

A piory, dependent from the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion (1562–1598), the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. Standing on the gallery, facing east. A sober structure under the simple wooden roof. Stairs lead up to the rectangular choir, that has gotten a Gothic tracery window later.

A piory, dependent from the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion (1562–1598), the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts, seen here, survived the attacks, though it got vandalized during the French Revolution. After the Revolution the priory was sold and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village.

A priory, dependent from the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion (1562–1598), the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts, seen here, survived the attacks, though it got vandalized during the French Revolution. After the Revolution the priory was sold and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village.