Guimiliau Travel Guide

 CatherineReichardt Says:  (work in progress)By comparison with Saint-Thégonnec's flamboyant ossuary - complete with technicolou tableau of Jesus being laid out for burial - the ossuary at Guimiliau is a smaller and much more restrained structure.It was locked when we visited and I'm not sure whether... 

 CatherineReichardt Says:  (work in progress)Guimiliau's parish church is an odd architectural hybrid, which seems one part European and one part Hobbit.The church was built in the 16th century and has a solid granite block construction, topped by an eclectic collection of slate roofs. It is further... 

 CatherineReichardt Says:  (work in progress)It's difficult to know where to begin to describe the colossal Calvary that dominates the parish close at Guimiliau.To start with, it comprises more than 200 figures that depict different scenes from the Passion (trial and crucifixion) of Christ: to put... 

 CatherineReichardt Says:  (wok in progress)The grounds of Guimiliau's parish close are rather crowded, since they contain both the enormous Calvary and the splendid ossuary in a fairly small churchyard. Nonetheless, it somehow contrives to be a remarkably tranquil spot, although in high summer, I... 

 CatherineReichardt Says:  (work in progress)A notable characteristic of the interior of many Breton churches is that they have vaulted wooden ceilings which are often painted.The ceiling of the parish church at St Guimiliau is a particularly striking example, and its attractiveness is enhanced by the... 

 CatherineReichardt Says:  (work in progress)There are several wonderful parish closes in the eastern portion of Bretagne's Finistére region, but many visitors may only have the time - or interest - in visiting one.For what it's worth, my vote goes to Guimiliau, which - in addition to its stupendous... 

 CatherineReichardt Says:  (work in progress)The church at Guimiliau may only be 16th century, but one of the reasons why it feels older is that there are signs of structural failure.If you look closely at this line of columns - which should be vertical and parallel to one another - you will see that... 

 CatherineReichardt Says:  (work in progress)My intense dislike of Baroque architecture is well documented in my pages, so it's safe to say that this exceedingly ornate wooden baptistry which stands over the baptismal font at Guimiliau was never going to excite me - the best that I can say for it is... 

 CatherineReichardt Says:  (work in progress)This statue to the right hand side of the entrance to the church made me smile, although given the subject matter, it probably shouldn't have.This is clearly St Sebastian, who was martyred around 288 A.D. He was a Captain in the Emperor Diocletian's... 

 hquittner Says:  The support arms (of the H) of the Calvary have upon their faces at the frieze level figures of the 4 Evangelists. With some difficulty their identifying icons can be found. 

 hquittner Says:  The Calvary at Guimiliau is what you have come here for. It is similarto most of the others in the area in that it has an arch with supporting angled arms that form its base. On the platform above is a single knobby post with a crucifix with Jesus at the top. Lower down... 

 hquittner Says:  There is another important Altar, that of the Rosary. This must be a particular manifestation of Breton religious worship as we do not remeber seeing these altars elswhere and we haven seen them in almost every Breton church, All are framed in circular medallions with scenes... 

 hquittner Says:  The interior has many furnishings and altars that feature fine examples of Breton woodcarving skill. There are the organ case, the pulpit and a large number of wooden altarpieces. (Church woodworking art during the 16-17C appears in enormous amounts all over Europe along... 

 hquittner Says:  Itis surprising tifjnd such an elaborate entry to a church in a small poor town (pop. 700), even more with such a fine Calvary next to it. The first thing that strikes you is the large rounded recessed entry arches and their well carved voussoirs, like a Gothic cathedral.... 

 hquittner Says:  The Carving skills range from crude to fine.Much of the work on the voussoirs is as good as that on the Calvary and the Apostles are as fine. A cruder and earlier phase is seen in the freize below the Apostles (dated1606) where the Birth of Eve from Adam's side is depicted... 

 hquittner Says:  We entered the Close through a gate to reveal a 16C church with a tall tower and a prominent South Porch that had a rounded doorway with recessed arches. These and 4 gabled bays with large windows forming a nave were evidences of a 17C Flamboyant Renaissance remodelling.... 

 Mikebond Says:  The main reason to go to Guimiliau is to visit its enclos paroissial, with the richest calvaire of the whole Bretagne: more than 200 statues! It is formed by:1) the église de Saint-Miliau;2) the calvaire (see more photos in the travelogue;3) the sacristy;4) the charnel...