These are two photos of the church in the village where, officially, we live. Actually, our house is three kilometers (two miles) from this church and also three kilometers from the church and château in Saint-Aignan. Our village or commune has a population of nearly 1,200. There was a church here as early as the first century A.D. It was a wooden structure and was burned down by invading Berrichons (people from the Berry region just east of Saint-Aignan) in the sixth century. According to legend, relics of saint Martin de Tours, who died in the year 397, were kept in the church and miraculously survived the fire. (Relics are the remains of a deceased person.) The church was rebuilt using local limestone a milluneum ago, in the 10th and 11th centuries.
I took these two photos in March 2013 — ten years ago.
One thousand years is a long time. Did the church use Botox to look so young?
ReplyDeleteI never had a chance to go inside. Now, it’s too late!
I think a piece of St Martin’s cloak could be a relic.
I’m scared to think that a millennium is only ten times my age, give or take one year!
DeleteThe church was much modified (new and improved) in the 19th century.
DeleteThe church is so simple and lovely. I wish I had looked inside also, chm. Often I forget to look near where I am staying when I travel.
DeleteDid the church do botox? That's funny chm. Yes it is wrinkle free. Sometimes these simple buildings are great. So interesting Ken about the Berrichons - I forget that there wasn't a "France" then and that city states were often warrning.
DeleteThis morning, no problem with Blogger; my two comments were published instantly! Did you see a difference in preparing this blog post today?
ReplyDeleteYes, I did. Everything went smoothly.
DeleteGreat history
ReplyDeleteNice church. I think this is the first picture I’ve seen of your commune. Have you posted others?
ReplyDeleteBettyAnn
BettyAnn, yes, you can see some posts by clicking on this link and scrolling down. Ignore the post about Mareuil-sur-Aÿ; that's a village in Champagne.
DeleteHoly cow.... (no pun intended LOL)... 10th and 11th centuries!
ReplyDelete