Vals - Sainte-Marie

The enigmatic church Notre-Dame de Vals towers over the tiny village of Vals (pop 90). The church, that is partly "troglodyte", carved into the giant rock, has three levels. The oldest part, called "the crypt", probably dates to the 9th or 10th century.

Most surprising here are frescoes, discovered under several layers of plaster in 1952. They are dated to around 1100/1120 and meanwhile got restaurated.

Seen to the very left is the "Annunciation", what adds to the frescoes "Nativity" and "First Bath". Very hard to see is - the "Adoration of the Magi", as this icon is -nearly- lost. There are still some traces. The head of Mary is in the center. To the left is a flower/star - and an inscription STELLA, what can only be the "Star of Bethlehem"
Below this is another inscription BALTASAR and a head (with a tonsur?) below, one of Magi. His two collegues - are unfortunately lost.