Abbey of Saint Mary, Romanesque abbey in Souillac, France
The Abbey of Saint Mary is a Romanesque church in Souillac with a Latin cross layout and several domed sections. Its interior features finely carved stone figures and ornaments visible throughout the walls and columns.
The abbey was founded in 655 by Eligius of Noyon and endured damage from Norman raids. It was reconstructed and restored multiple times over the centuries following these destructive attacks.
The inner western wall displays detailed stone carvings showing religious figures and scenes from scripture. These sculptures reveal how faith was communicated visually to people who could not read.
Visitors should allow time for a slow walk through the interior to fully take in the details on the walls and columns. A visit is best done at a leisurely pace to properly appreciate the carved details.
The choir stalls from the 17th century contain carved patterns that were used for medieval games. These unusual ornaments show that even in religious spaces there was room for leisure and play.
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