Inside, the church at Azay-le-Rideau isn't nearly as interesting. However, the original apsidal nave does retain some vestiges of 13th wall paintings. By far the best are the 3 horses above a low arch leading to the second, later, nave.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJE_2W5qzufUBWiNNfWdiAOnBRAdydTYYNb4DW0EwDoEQ6CjrtZil3j7SrXZcJWXQlLtGfKK0TyhKsL7WxuDshrnv33fc5VDka_nlClrTnMwRoffJXlUUjmF73Rh4GFevXxsRDcA-s-k0/s1600/IMG_2938.JPG) |
13th century wall painting: horses & figure |
The current thinking is that, as the figure [much damaged] has a raised arm which could be thought to be leading one of the horses, this could be part of a representation of the 3 Magi. Whether or not this assumption is correct we really liked the horses as, despite the damage, they are vibrant and 'alive'.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozOvckr2HruJl6X5sqDIKVzjXVUTQHA_TJpBkTetfmqcrZBXUBKVVt6dPZ-5wRhl4IVWPIoAlSljNl5n_ao6Ghoyr5N2yK3n97cEEtmMUMdfCxPoLOvciPtqaISj1FGfrFks9o-4bp64/s1600/IMG_2939.JPG) |
The 3 horses |
On the other side of the apsidal nave there is a figure thought to be St George slaying the dragon. Behind the figure is a depiction of a palace/dwelling with elaborate roof decorations.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAlbyubw6hyXIYg0ZYCqs9HsG9YmuLRRx2paZSAlTCCg84URBGwv-oPX7SzGtzNUFgFVEjgfRk8l8l8t9n1dbb2yhVBBaRVsijzT5owTIVQAsRjYPYkfh8kzxH-7EE2WobFItgMVfBvk/s1600/IMG_2941.JPG) |
Possibly St George .... |
It was a glorious day when we went to Azay-le-Rideau and the name of this little pedestrian street off the parking lot made us smile.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlUJc3MS6p93JaKoIcDbpzRaG-Rixudal5zEcv3mYW1JkdzAdU9qRvNnMT3NabvyArCOMub_VZ3kxJhqg0eCVBuDM6zZN7YJF0AVOXnhUsAjP6q6bH_lMXVSbgeiZrK4J2RX8RI1pUlE/s1600/IMG_2935.JPG) |
Bridge over the river Indre at Azay-le-Rideau |
8 comments:
There's a rue du petit soleil in Preuilly too.
@Susan - on a sunny day the name makes me smile.
Distinctly vibrant, those horses....
@fly - do look a bit as if they'd be happy to charge don't they :-)
What lovely wall painting remnants. They make me wonder what has been lost....
Those horses heads are really nice and their colors too. I also like your other photos. It looks very calm and peaceful in that picture of the bridge over the river Indre.
@ Perpetua -- quite a bit probably.
@ Vagabonde - the colors have stayed very vibrant. They reminded us a bit of the horses on the Bayeux tapestry.
Thank you :-) We've seen the river Indre in spate at that same bridge and it was wild!
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