𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔤𝔦𝔳𝔢 𝔪𝔢 𝔣𝔞𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔣𝔬𝔯 ℑ 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔰𝔦𝔫𝔫𝔢𝔡 - and in fifteen minutes I shall sin again.
Here we go, I gone and sentenced myself to hell again. I done lost count of how many levels they're gonna have to create for me but its all good. Me and the big bearded dude in the sky have a mutual understanding. I don't bother him he doesn't bother me.
The man downstairs and me have another kind of understanding. I don't Need any encouragement.
Technically I identify as Christian. My parents where Christian so I must be too. I also occasionally Identify as a Toaster. But that's another story.
So I had some time to kill while the missus was having coffee with a few friends...
So being me I decided to do what I do best, Look for something to take pictures of and hope a few of them turn out clear enough to use.
I always like to have a nose around churches in the area as they seem to have the best architecture, not to mention in most small towns they're right near the bar.
This particular Church is Notre Dame des Neiges.
A Gothic style church located Nearby in the southwest of France. Choc full of Gargoyles and The characteristic pointed arch windows typical to the style.
As you can see the design is unique and the Stone work is as usual, Superb. The stone carvers of those good old days certainly had skills.
To be completely honest I expected to do the rounds on the outside of the building grab a few photos and throw them into a folder for a future post.
It was a weekday after all, and the inside would be shut off.
But just because one door is closed...
There is always a chance another one will be open.
Look its open on a Thursday... Somethings up.
Lets go have a look.
So yeah, Yesterday I gate crashed a Funeral to get pictures for this post. Well the pre funeral, The priests were setting up the altar and making the coffin look fancy in the back room.
Its difficult to get into this place when it aint crammed with worshipers messing up the photo ops.
Who wants hundreds of people masked up like surgeons distracting from the building.
So this chance was too good to pass up.
Just look at this place. This is one of the more impressive Churches in the area.
Don't worry I was respectful, I'm not a Religious man but Im also not a complete Asshole.
I even said Hi to the head preacher man, Turns out hes the same dude that did the funeral service for my wife's dad this time last year.
Seems funerals are a popular place to meet priests.
I let him know what was up, and why I was walking pretty fast getting as many pictures in as I could before the Mourners started arriving.
You know just in case he thought I was casing the place, getting ready to lift the artefacts and take em to the nearest pawn shop.
He was all good, I even gave him my phone number and got his. Never hurts to cover the bases.
I like to be prepared, I think Laterally. sʎɐʍǝpıs
Anyway Lets get back to the tour.
All the way along the main aisle its lined with alcoves.
Each one painted with really intricate designs and Murals.
Withs statues of various saints and Relics on display.
I mean seriously these alcoves are incredible. Each one has been individually decorated to a theme or style. All carefully picked to reflect the contents.
Everywhere you look there is a bit of detailing or design that represents hundreds or in some cases thousands of man hours.
From intricate ceiling details with elaborate Rib Vaults and sculpted stone or plaster to hand painted detailing.
The people who built this place and the things inside took pride in their craftsmanship and the quality of work.
The Vaulted ceiling itself is a masterpiece of engineering and artistry. The paintings and detailing covering it is just the icing on the cake. It may not be the most elaborate building but the acoustics and impact of the long corridor are impressive as any I have seen.
So That's what I got up to while the boss had coffees and caught up on the local gossip with her pals.
I had a quick walk and managed to get out just before the first people in black turned up. So I will call that- Mission complete.
Now its time for...
FUN FACTS!
So yeah this church is located in Trie-sur-Baïse and the construction of the Building was well underway in The mid 15th century.
The town of Trie itself was a Bastide town that has had it rough historically.
Most of it was sacked and Pillaged During the Hundred Year War by the Black Prince Edward of Woodstock, in 1355 and reconstructed in 1363, The Carmelites set up a monastery and 2 hospitals in the following years.
The Church itself Started construction around the middle of the 15th century.
Then during the ongoing religious battles between the Protestants and Catholics, August 1569 Saw the monastery get lit up like a Christmas tree and all 20 odd people living at the monastery were executed.
Amazing what people believing in the same dude will do to each other.
About 70 years later the Monastery was rebuilt.
Then for the next couple of hundred years the town of Trie was struck by one famine and plague after another.
Death, Pestilence, Plague, Famine Looks like all Four Horseman had a test ride.
The church itself survived destruction, dismantling and the post revolution sale of the land when it became owned by the state, but the monastery and cloisters were dismantled.
Funny enough a small mispronunciation of the name Trie sur Baïse is only two dots away from Baise, Or to Fuck. So I guess it only makes sense the town itself spent so many years getting fucked.
There's a lot of power in a name.
Now the town is home to a few shops and bars, And of course a Few remains of the Original History Like the Church dotted around.
Thanks for joining me and I hope you liked the tour.