Stony Faced Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

The eighth and last in a series of pictures taken in and around the church of Saint-Peter-De-La-Tour at Aulnay in Charente-Maritime. I hope you have enjoyed this series if pictures of this magnificent church.

The Church of St. Peter in Aulnay de Saintonge, Poitou, is regarded as one of the finest Romanesque churches in western France. Located in a peaceful setting overlooking a pasture at the edge of Aulnay village, its beautiful architecture is enhanced by an extensive, fascinating array of Romanesque sculpture inside and out.

Known in Latin as Aunedonacum, Aulnay's history begins in Roman times, when it was a small town along the road between the prominent ancient cities of Poitiers and Saintes. In the Middle Ages, the road continued to be used, especially as part of the pilgrimage route from Paris to Santiago de Compostela.

The first known church in Aulnay (of unknown date) was called St-Pierre-de-la-Tour, which was given to the Benedictine monks of St-Cyprien Abbey in Poitiers in the 11th century.

In the early 12th century, the church was transferred to the chapter of Poitiers Cathedral. Shortly thereafter it was rebuilt, most likely under the direction of Poitiers' canons, in about 1140 to 1170.

A few changes and restorations were made in later centuries, including the top half and spire of the tower (13th/14th century) and the reworking of the west façade (15th century).

The above information was extracted from an article on the Sacred Places web site. The full text of the article can be read here.

For French speakers, there is quite an extensive article about the church on the French Wikipedea site here.

Budapestman, jlbrthnn, PixelTerror, Buin, jjanczyk, ChrisJ, dareco, trekks, Gerrit has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Budapestman (41618) 2009-06-04 1:32

Hi Stephen,
We may find many beautiful details in the churches, according to me, very good idea that you present these beautiful artworks. I like the ornate details, You handled the lights splendidly. Have a nice day!
George

jlbrthnn (37697) 2009-06-04 2:09

Bonjour Stephen,
Je reconnais ces irrésistibles barbus à fleurs que j'avais mis en ws. Une bonne image bien éclairée et livrant tous les détails. Bravo.
Bonne journée
Cordialement
Joël

PixelTerror (86038) 2009-06-04 2:14

Hi Stephen
A good detail picture the quality on the sculptures is excellent
Have a nice day JY

npecanhuk (13679) 2009-06-04 2:42

Hi Stephen!
The architectural details of this column is simply wonderful! With outstanding sharpness, perfect exposure, you really achieved a great success here! The result is very attractive, interesting and beautiful!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan

John_F_Kennedy (31229) 2009-06-04 3:07

Nice excursion to antiquity. A good POV on that Romanesque architecture. well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

Buin (37474) 2009-06-04 3:25

Hallo Stephen!
You show us a really interesting and impressive detail here. What a wonderful and somehow dignified artwork. The exposure and sharpness here are perfect and give the possibility of appreciate this masterpiece.
Greetings from very cool (13°C) and cloudy Germany!
Frank

jjanczyk (1775) 2009-06-04 4:23

Hello,
Great shot!
Excellent details, sharpness and lovely colours.
TFS
Jolanta

delpeoples (5858) 2009-06-04 5:16

Hi Stephen, congratulations on your 950th too! I really like the close-up details in a church and you've given us an excellent POV here, with great light, great detail and sharpness. Excellent work, TFS, Lisa.

ChrisJ (70099) 2009-06-04 5:27

Hi Stephen

A good upward pov, with excellent sharpness & wonderful textural details in the ornate stone carvings & flourishes. Tfs!

darek1978 (11165) 2009-06-04 8:27

Hi Stephen,
An another very good close-up to an artistice element in the church. This artwork is just great. Thank you for showing these pictures. Definitely a place to be visited.
Regards,
Darek

dareco (17104) 2009-06-04 8:53

Very nice detail and interesting architecture/artwork. I like this pov. TFS

Nicou (44571) 2009-06-04 9:06

Hello,

quel détial, une merveille, un captage superbe, ce travail de l'artise est trsè bien mis en valeur par l'artiste photographe, superbe.

bravo et amitié

Nicou

trekks (14262) 2009-06-04 10:16

hi Stephen

If I am allowed to compare this artwork with Angkor Wat because the age and history is around the same period.

It is very interesting why these sculptures are installed here, to cause fear or as decoration?

Nice work.

tfs, bill

rodgerg (23793) 2009-06-04 10:53

Hello Stephen,

Excellent cadrage pour ce"close up" qui permt d'apprécier toute la richesse des sculptures. Une image très nette et avec une belle harmonie dans les couleurs douces.
Amitiés,
Roger

Gerrit (35595) 2009-06-04 13:18

Hi Stephen.
great details of the capitels of this magnificent church.
Regards, gerrit

Fis2 (45657) 2009-06-04 14:54

Witaj Stephen!
A very interesting details.
I like the frame and colors.
Well done.
Regards
Krzysztof