Saint-Laurent church, Auzon, France.
Via Flickr:
Saint-Laurent was built within the 11th century on an outcrop near the castle of Auzon. In 1117 Aimeric, bishop of Clermont, connected the church to the abbey of La-Chaise-Dieu, where he was abbot before.
The village of Auzon is well known for the “Auzon Casket”, an anglo-saxon whalebone chest (now in the British Museum). This casket was probably looted in Brioude during the French Revolution and later served at a family´s sewing box in Auzon - before it was sold in Paris mid 19th century. Actually only the biggest part of the box was sold. A missing part was found in a drawer - and sold about 30 years later.
by Martin M. Miles on Flickr.
Lavaudieu - Abbaye Saint-André by Martin M. Miles on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
The abbey, founded as a nunnery within the 11th century, was the only one in the Auvergne, that went through the turmoil of the French Revolution without any vandalism.
Some buildings got “remodeled”, when, after the nuns had left, it was used for agricultural purposes (and some parts got demolished), but there is a well known cloister, with some really extraordenary carvings - and medieval frescoes.
One of two medieval door-knockers in Brioude, often described in the literatur. I know that in early times, rings were very important. In case a victim of persecution reached the door and and touched the ring, it had escaped from secular jurisdictation (by entering the clerical one). This was the handle to the sanctuary.
So here is a lion, holding the ring. All around the words “ORIOR EXAMINIS VITA(M) DAT SP(IRITUS) ORIS” are engraved. “I am born without life - Breath gives me life”.
John 10:9
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”
Brioude - Saint-Julien by Martin M. Miles on Flickr.
Brioude - Saint-Julien by Martin M. Miles on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
The Basilica Saint-Julien in Brioude was a collegiate church constructed between 1100 - 1180. The architectoral structure is influenced by great romanesque churches like “Notre-Dame-Du-Port” in Clermont-Ferrand (70kms north) or “Saint-Austremoine” in Issoire (30kms north), planned and constructed within the same century. The buildings of the former collegiate got demolished after the French Revolution, the structure of the church (though remodeled in some parts over the centuries) is still pretty much intact. Even the crossing tower, seen here, is still in the original state.
Brioude was a center of pilgrimage very early, as already within the 4th century a “martyrion” existed over the grave of St. Julien. This building was replaced by an early basilica, that was visited and described by Gregory of Tours (538-594)in, who wrote about a pilgrimage undertaken yearly from Avernis (= Clermont-Ferrand) to Brioude. Later this was a stopover for pilgrims to Santiago, only two days (60kms) away from Le Puy (Via Podensis).
Issoire - Saint-Austremoine by Martin M. Miles on Flickr.
Issoire - Saint-Austremoine by Martin M. Miles on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
Saint-Austremoine, now parish church in Issoire, was once the church of a benedictian abbey, that, following the “Vita prima Autremonii” was founded by Saint-Austremoine himself.
The church was probably erected between 1130 and 1160/70 and now is the largest of the “crown jewels” of romanesque architecture in the Auvergne.
Seen here is the “Last Supper” in a unique style. The table runs all around the pillar. All the apostles seem to stand upright behind the table.
