Sacred Destinations

Photo: Vézelay Abbey (Basilique Ste-Madeleine)

Central Portal
Central Portal

Central portal in the narthex, with a magnificent tympanum depicting Pentecost or the Mission of the Apostles. In the center is Christ, inside a mandorla (almond-shaped halo). Bolts of light shoot out from Christ's hands to the apostles' heads. The inner archivolt and the lintel below are populated with the peoples of the world who will hear the message of Christ. These include, on the lintel, the "Monstrous Races" of foreign lands. This provides a fascinating insight into medieval worldviews and popular legends. John the Baptist occupies the tympanum; Peter and Paul have an animated conversation on the right.

Photo © Sacred Destinations
Date: 5/28/08 12:00 PM
Camera: Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
File name: xti_0379p.jpg

Inquire about licensing this photo

Travel Resources


Sacred Destinations Home     About     Contact     Using Images     Advertise     Blog     Twitter     Privacy Policy
Except where indicated otherwise, all content and images © 2005-12 Sacred Destinations. All rights reserved.

Sacred Destinations is an online travel guide to sacred sites, pilgrimages, holy places, religious history, sacred places, historical religious sites, archaeological sites,
religious festivals, sacred sites, spiritual retreats, religious travel and spiritual journeys.
Free content for your Google homepage or website! Get the Sacred Destinations Daily Photo Gadget

Travel resources: Spiritual Tour Directory, Sightseeing Tours, Hotels, Travel Insurance
Popular categories: Biblical Sites, Cathedrals, Catholic Shrines, Footsteps of Jesus, Luther Sites, Megalithic Mysteries
Popular sacred sites: Easter Island, Lourdes, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Oberammergau Passion Play, Shroud of Turin, Sistine Chapel, St. Mark's Basilica, St. Peter's Basilica, Stonehenge
Popular city guides: Rome, Ravenna, Ephesus, Assisi, Paris, Jerusalem
Popular maps: England Map, Italy Map, Jerusalem Map, London Map, Paris Map, Rome Map

Sister site: Stock photos of religious art and architecture: Art History Images