Faye-la-Vineuse - Saint-Georges

A collegiate had been founded here in 1039. A settlement existed probably since Roman times. "Faye" obviously derived from "fagus", the Roman word for "beech".

Within the 12th century the small church of the collegiate, placed on top of a hill, got replaced by the large and prestigious "Saint-Georges", that today serves the small parish of Faye-la-Vineuse. The collegiate suffered during the Wars of Religion, when the church got severely damaged. It got completely renovated end of the 19th century.

The capitals around the crossing are carved in a "soft" Romanesque style. Some of these scenes are very dynamic. The horseman on the left wears a turban and holds curved sword ("scimitar"). He is persued and gets attacked by a cavalier with a helmet and a cross on his shield.

This is - the Reconqista!