I’ve lost count of the church doors that have drawn me inside during the last few weeks in France. Big or small, grandiose or modest, they all appeal in different ways. The scaled down medieval church in the village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère took me to the land of quiet meditation, more than most. The church, built in the 12th century on Gallo- Roman ruins, has been meticulously restored but the interior decor remains minimalist, evocative and artistic. Time to light a candle and reflect inside this glorious small space.
Through the side door of the church at Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère
Lovely grounds at Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère
More on the beautiful village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, my favourite village in the Dordogne, next post.
For WordPress photographic prompt this week. Scale
ALMOST ITALIAN 
Very soothing – even for this collapsed Catholic!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Very beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My ignorance on show again: always thought the Black Madonna belonged to Poland! Amused by Peter: oft call myself a ‘lapsed’ Lutheran . . . . must try this version . . . . and I agree with ‘soothing’!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That black madonna is a copy of the one in Rocamadour nearby. There’s a big black madonna in Spain( made a special journey to see that one in 1985) and I saw one in Poland too.( Krakow) They are always loved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I meant the Black Madonna od Czestochowa know as ‘The Queen of Poland. Was not even aware of some of the others . . . what one learns without even getting on a plane . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh gosh that looks beautiful – even the photos made me take some deep calming breaths. Of all the castles and old buildings we visited I loved the churches the most. Especially the stained glass. I will be going to France again next year, first to do a week on the Midi with my family and then a couple of weeks wandering around – who knows where (my daughter is in charge of that aspect!) At the moment there is talk of doing the last 100kms of the Camino de Santiago, but I am not sure if I could do that! that model of the church is awesome! – thank you for sharing these lovely photos.
LikeLike
I’ve also been thinking of doing a short stretch of the Camino. I encourage you to go Gillain, go into training now with some up hill walking. I think it would be a wonderful thing to do, walking through the countryside, as much as you can handle per day, or until a nice auberge turns up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful Details!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is also a black Madonna in a monastery on the island of Kythera – the Panagia Myrtidiotissa (the “Madonna of the Myrtles”). I think these types of Madonnas are found mostly in Poland, but also in other Catholic or Orthodox countries and are particularly associated with miracles. Nice to see the fantastic blue of her robe here. A very beautiful scaled down church in Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère.
LikeLiked by 1 person
utcheecreek put it so well, “Very soothing” indeed. I love visiting old churches and soaking up that calming feeling it provides me.
LikeLike
Thanks Ron. Often it’s the little village church that does the trick.
LikeLike