The Apostle Thomas with an open book

myminifactory

The Abbey of Saint-Gilles is a commune situated in France's Gard department, born out of the nucleus surrounding the historic abbey that originally served as the first stopover for pilgrims heading to Spain's Santiago de Compostela. The former abbey church earned its place on UNESCO's World Heritage Sites list in 1998 as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France. The west portal of the abbey church boasts one of the most breathtaking Romanesque portals, serving as a quintessential representation of Provençal Romanesque architecture. During the tumultuous French Wars of Religion, Protestants fortified themselves within the abbey walls, leaving it severely damaged. Evidence of this iconoclasm is visible on a high-relief sculpture, an original version of which can be found on the west portal of the abbey church. The intricate sculpture depicts Apostle Thomas holding an open book, a common trait in depictions of him. Other similar sculptures featuring Saints, Archangels, and Apostles adorn the facades of the church. These figures exemplify the typical high-relief niche statues characteristic of southern French Romanesque style, with bodies appearing elongated in proportion. This effect may be corrected when viewed from an angle as visitors pass through the portal.