Stock Photo: Tour de Gauzlin from Northwest

Tour

Image Details

Photo ID
3146
Title
Tour de Gauzlin from Northwest
Caption
View from northwest of the Tour de Gauzlin, named for the abbot who commissioned it, at Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire Abbey. The west "porch-tower" was begun in 1020, but was probably not completed until around 1070. The lower level serves as a porch for the west entrance, while the taller upper level houses the Chapel of St. Michael (not accessible to the public). There was once a third level, but this was removed in 1525 and replaced by the present unusual roof in the 17th century. With three portals on each side, the tower is a model of the New Jerusalem as described in Revelation 21: "And it had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates... on the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates." The bottom level is open and divided into nine squares by pillars and transverse arches. The columns are decorated with narrative capitals of c.1070-80, including scenes from Revelation.
Credit
Holly Hayes
Status
  All Rights Reserved
Date Created
July 19, 2008
Date Added
December 4, 2009
Last Updated
March 6, 2024
Coordinates
47.8095380° N, 2.3058740° E
Camera
Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
Focal Length
17 mm
ISO
100
File Size
4.3 MB
Full Resolution
3888 x 2592 pixels

Image Location