Andlau - Saints-Pierre-et-Paul

Richardis, wife of Charles III (aka "Charles the Fat") and so "Holy Roman Empress", founded the abbey in Andlau ca 880. Later she lived here (as the abbess). She was known for her piety and so she was canonised, when Pope Leo IX paid a visit to the abbey in 1049.

Up to the very left of the "reddish" romanesque block, once maybe part of a westwork, towers this masterly carved lioness holding and so protecting her frightened cub. The lioness does not only have terrifying teeth, the flawless curly hairdo impresses as well.