Merlevenez - Notre-Dame-de-Joie

The Knights Templar founded a convent here with chapel dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. Parts of this chapel may have been "incorporated" into Notre-Dame-de-Joie.

Most of the nave, the transept and the apse date back to the 12th century. The many capitals seen here are very delicately carved, what is unusual for Brittany. Some art historians see influences from Poitou-Charente.

I am not sure, what is going on in the center of the capital, but the person to the left (with jug ears) sits in the same way like the guardian outside (previous uploads).