Guimiliau Parish close

The Guimiliau Parish close (Enclos paroissial) is located at Guimiliau in the arrondissement of Morlaix in Brittany in north-western France. The parish takes its name from Saint Miliau who was beheaded in 792 on his brother's orders. He is a saint called upon by those suffering from ulcers and rheumatism.

The parish close dates from the 16th and 17th-century and comprises an "arc de triomphe" style entrance, an ossuary, a bell-tower, an elaborate porch, a funeral chapel, a cemetery and a church with a baptistery, a pulpit, altarpieces, a sacristy, an organ, and the unusual Calvary at Guimiliau.

The main features of the close are:

This is surmounted with statues of two cavaliers and the Virgin Mary with child.

The calvary, completed in 1588, includes statues showing 37 scenes and comprises a single cross above an octagonal base.

The bell-tower is in the "Beaumanoir" style and is flanked with a round tower.

Dating to the 17th-century, the building is decorated with stoups and bas-reliefs carved from Kersanton stone.To the left of the church porch there is a columned area which served as the original ossuary. See photograph identified as the "old ossuary". On the old ossuary wall, are some relief carvings.

Reliefs on the Old Ossuary wall

Further reliefs on the Old Ossuary wall

Further reliefs on the Old Ossuary wall

Further reliefs on the Old Ossuary wall

Further reliefs on the Old Ossuary wall

Carvings near ossuary wall

Carvings near ossuary wall

The entry to the choir area has pillars with statues of saint Yves and saint Hervé with his wolf. The balustrade dates to the 17th-century.

The altarpiece of the Rosary dates to the 17th-century and has depictions of the Virgin Mary, saint Dominic and Sainte-Catherine of Sienna whilst various medallions tell the story of the "mysteries" of the Rosary. Twisted columns are decorated with carvings of angels and various animals and the altarpiece also has images in niches of saints Nicholas, Zachary, and the Holy Father. The saint Miliau altarpiece includes a panel depicting saint Miliau carrying his severed head.

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Wikipedia