Cunault

CUNAULT: NOTRE-DAME PRIORY CHURCH

Probably the largest Romanesque church in France, without a transept and certainly one of the finest in the Pays de la Loire.

At the base of he bell tower, erected in the late 12^th century, is a high arcade. Higher up, three tiers of openings the first of which is blind. The other two are richly decorated.

The edifice was built in the 12^th century starting from the chevet towards the façade. The tympanum of the portal representing a seated Virgin and Child flanked by two angels dates back from the early 13^th century.

Corbels: northern wall. The pulled tongue (like the beard) symbolises the Fall of Man. The barrel represents drunkenness or the weight of unabsolved sins.

Corbels: northern wall. The figure in the middle symbolises "revolution" (man's life turned upside down): abandoning the Old Man for a more spiritual life based on faith.

MURAL PAINTINGS:

1) Saints:

2) Les Prophètes - The Prophets:

3) Transfiguration: (XVème - 15th century)

On Mount Tabor with Peter, James and John, his hands are raised and he is wearing a white robe

Numerous richly-sculpted capitals.