Lautenbach - Collégiale Saint Gangolph

Theologian Manegold of Lautenbach, a celebrity of his time, lived here in the 11th. century. During the Investiture Controversy, Manegold sided strongly with Pope Gregory VII. Emperor Henry IV was so annoyed about this, that he sent an army, to destroy the monastery and churches. That ended the monastery 1084. About 50 years later Augustinian Canons settled here - and rebuilt the church, reusing a lot of old material.

This frieze over a lintel of a now walled side-entrance, is probably one of the parts, that were reused. The three arches are pretty delicate, even the capitals of the pillars are nicely done, - but the carvings inside the arches are pretty archaic.

Under the left arch is a lion, that actually does look a bit like a poodle. The rear part of the lion, including one leg got lost. The head of the lion looks a bit "human".

Under the middle arch, a rather small man fighting a lion. He is "riding" the lion - and trying to open the lion´s mouth. This may be Samson.

Under the right arch is probably as well a lion, but there are so many parts missing, that it is hard to say, what this really shows.

I had been here before. So now I just add a few shots, that I did not had taken before . More photos of the Collégiale Saint Gangolph are in the set

www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/sets/72157626442170032/