The Apostle Bartholomew with open scripture

myminifactory

The Abbey of Saint-Gilles is a Commune situated within the Gard department of Southern France, formed around the nucleus of the abbey that served as the initial stopping point for Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The former abbey church was listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1998 due to its association with parts of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France. The west portal of the abbey church is considered one of the most beautiful examples of great Romanesque portals and a definitive representation of the Provençal Romanesque style. During the French Wars of Religion, Protestants fortified themselves within the abbey, which suffered significant damage as a result. This iconoclasm can be seen in the high-relief sculpture on display, an original version of which is found on the west portal of the abbey church. The sculpture depicts Apostle Bartholomew holding open scripture, a common asset featured in depictions of him. Other sculptures of similar style, depicting Saints, Archangels, and Apostles, adorn the facades of the church. These figures are typical of the formulaic, frontally posed high relief niche statues characteristic of Southern French Romanesque style. Their bodies appear slightly elongated in proportions, a feature that may optically correct when viewed at an angle from below as visitors pass through the portal.