Thursday Doors – Romantic Romanesque

I’m back to the churches again this week for my Thursday Doors post with this beautiful example from the 12th century which I visited a couple of weeks ago.      As always the stone carving around the door is exquisite and completely different from many other local examples by being spectacularly delicate and classical in its decoration. Not so many monsters and gargoyles here but flowers and curlicues and lozenge patterns – romantic gothic rather than scary gothic! I just wish I knew more about architecture to identify the influences.  Whatever the history the church is wonderful and the interior is filled with rows of wavy backed wooden chairs each joined to its neighbour and many still with old enamel name plaques attached to them which I had not seen before.  Here are some of the photos for my contribution to Norm’s Doors this week -thanks as always to Norm for hosting this ever inspiring challenge.

St Amand church door

St Amand church door 2

St Amand church interior 2

St Amand church interior

St Amand church door 3

St Amand church_

ALL PHOTOS © JANE MORLEY

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24 Comments Add yours

  1. What a beautiful building and the landscape beyond those trees looks wonderful. It must be a lovely setting.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Jean, the church is in a small village not far from a small market town so the scenery is a mix of farmland and the outskirts of the town – must have beautiful when the church was built however!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Very beautiful pictures! I’m always very intrigued to photograph churches. I will have to challenge myself to get out there and do it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Jessika! You should do it – the very finest art and craftsmanship is to be found there even in the small country churches like this one, they’re such treasures! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I agree! Every time I go past a church, instantly my eyes start framing my shots.
        I’m trying to get over some anxiety of taking pictures in public. I know it’s a silly thing, and I’m working on it. Lol
        Seeing your photography gives a lot of inspiration! ☺

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thank you Jessika that’s very kind of you – it’s true you have to get over the feeling shy part but once you’ve done it a few times you’ll be fine!

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Jane, I love old churches. Last time I was in France, my s-i-l and chanced upon a chapel in a very remote, somewhat hidden area. What fun it was! In your shots, I love the simplicity of the wooden doors in contrast to the ornate decorations surrounding them.

    janet

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Janet, yes there is always some treasure to be discovered, little gems hidden away and the finest artistry imaginable!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Norm 2.0 says:

    You had me at 12th century; sigh…thank you, what a wonderful post 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you Norm – I think I’m getting a bit repetitive with my churches but I don’t often see doors as fun and colourful round here as the one you posted this week! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Handsome door just screaming character and history. Wonderful. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Judy! I’d love to know who did the carving, definitely a master craftsman!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. julieallyn says:

    Wowzer! What a beautiful place. Great shots!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Many thanks indeed Julie!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. How captivatingly lovely, Jane. If those walls could talk, right? And there it sits seemingly in the middle of nowhere. I love that you took a close-up of the nameplate – those are filled with just as much character as the church itself!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. HI Stacy – so glad you like this – it is an intriguing church, would love to know who the name plaques belonged to and also who carved all that wonderful ornament – if the walls could talk indeed! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Mél@nie says:

    I love doors, too… and yours are really awesome! 🙂 j’aime bien tes jeux de mots, aussi… 😉
    * * *
    bonne semaine, amitiés toulousaines ensoleillées et à+! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Merci Mélanie – j’espère que le soleil continue à briller chez toi aussi! 🙂

      Like

  9. Sue says:

    What a glorious building, Jane!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It is rather beautiful Sue,some strange bits of renovation have gone on but the history still shines through luckily!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sue says:

        Strange bits of renovation sounds intriguing!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Actually it’s not too bad but part of the exterior has been re-rendered so it looks very new in comparison with the rest, it will age of course during its next 1000 years!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Sue says:

        Well, yes!

        Liked by 1 person

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