Poitiers - Notre-Dame la Grande

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art.

The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin". As the church went trough the Wars of Religions and the French Revolution many of the carvings are damaged.

Seen here are some details from the frieze over the left blind arch.

To the very left are Adam and Eve chatting with the snake. The name of their neighbour is written behind him "NABUCADNOSOR REX" (aka "Nebuchadnezzar", "Nabuchodonosor"), probably dreaming in the sun. Following are four saints, probably the evangelists, two of them hold bibles. I cannot decipher the inscriptions. To the right a large angel talking to a saint. In the triangle below them is a very strange, frightening three-headed creature.

Note the traces of colours near the angel.