The Calvary of Plougastel-Daoulas, part II !!!

Posted in Bretagne, France

The town of Plougastel-Daoulas.has lots of memories for us and even family birthdays celebrated there, Several posts in my blog, however, found picture in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me. The town of Plougastel-Daoulas is in the dept 29 of Finistère in my lovely region of Bretagne, and my belle France. Therefore, here is my take on the Calvary of Plougastel-Daoulas, part II !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The calvary of Plougastel-Daoulas dates from 1602-1604 and its about 10 meters high. On a yellow granite base of Logonna-Daoulas, about 182 statues carved in blue Kersanton stone, the larger ones measure one meter and weigh from 100 to 200 kg. They illustrate, in 28 paintings, biblical scenes of the life of Christ or legendary scenes such as Katel Kollet. It is one of the seven great Calvaries of Brittany. The octagon that forms the core of the basement is 1.70 meters apart.  A 14-step staircase near the northwestern foothills provides access to the central platform where the preacher was once installed. It was erected as a result of the plague epidemic of 1598. This is a religious ensemble which is unique of Brittany. This one is one of the best around. The stairs on the side allowing to go inside where the predicator is illuminated. It is one of the seven great calvaries of Brittany ;in a powerful granite procession, 182 figures tell the story of Christ, arranged in two superimposed series around the base. Every summer, in July and August, a guide tell the whole story of this beautiful monument.

This is a tremendous beautiful gorgeous magnificent calvary that is a must see even passing just for it is good. My best in the region simple yet detailing of such love and history of Christ. The original date is under the statue of Christ. There is the Nativity, the flight to Egypt, the Last Supper, and the washing of the feet. The great drama of the passion then unfolds in an army of actors among different groups of statuettes. One is the one depicting the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ in Jérusalem. It is dominated by three large crosses in the center.  Destroyed during the period of the terror (French revolution), it was restored again after the liberation after been damaged during the siege of Brest in WWII.

John Davis Skilton, Jr, had statues and stone fragments stored away and, back in the United States, created a foundation to help restore the monument. In 1944, during the American advance, the Calvary was hit by shells, several statues were destroyed as well as the three crosses. John D. Skilton, American officer and art adviser in the United States, created, once back in his country, the “Plougastel Calvary Restoration Fund Inc” in order to collect the funds necessary for the repair of the Calvary. The work carried out under the direction of the Ministry of Fine Arts and Historic Monuments was completed in 1949. John Davis Skilton, Jr was made an honorary citizen of Plougastel-Daoulas on July 16, 1950.

The famous 7 calvaries of Brittany on Plougastel:  http://www.7calvaires.fr/en/plougastel/

The city of Plougastel on its heritage : https://ville-plougastel.bzh/decouvrir-plougastel/tourisme/

There you go folks, this Calvary is a must to visit I said… on a wonderful city of Plougastel-Daoulas. Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Calvary of Plougastel-Daoulas, part II !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

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