VENTURING FORTH FROM STRASBOURG

Whilst we had thoroughly enjoyed our time in Strasbourg, it was time to move on.  With rain clouds putting a literal as well as metaphorical dampener on things, we took the road south.  Our first stop was Selestat, where there were 2 incredible buildings I wanted to see.  The first was this Romanesque Church of Sainte-Foy.  When we finally found it we were a little disappointed to see it's main entrance boarded up & the church in an uncared for state.  But it was only one section that was closed, we were still able to see some of it's treasures.

It isn't clear when the first building on this site was constructed.  the current building began life in the 12th century, but before that it was a chapel, funded by Baroness Hildegard of Buren supposedly some time in the 11th century.

I have a particular soft spot for the Romanesque style of decoration.  These little dragon's are good example of what I mean.  I was intrigued by some of the decorative features within the Church, as they weren't what I'd expect to find in a Christian house of worship.

These mosaic tiled astrology symbols for instance.  We found all of the stars represented except Virgo!! (Mine!)

Some of the characters seemed quite pagan in character & I would have loved to know what/who they were supposed to represent & why they were there.

In the crypt there was another surprise. 
When the church was being renovated at the end of the 19th century, they found an intact death mask made of lime in the rubble of the old crypt.  Casts were made (this being one) & thus began the great debate as to whom this could have been.  Some think it may have belonged to Hildegard of Buren herself.  For others they are content to refer to her as 'The unknown beauty of Selestat.'

The other building I LONGED to see was the Bibliotheque Humaniste.  Alas, that is in the process of being thoroughly renovated & hasn't been open to the public for quite a while & judging by what we could see...wouldn't be for a long time yet.  It houses over 6,500 books from the 15th & 16th century & in 2011 was listed on the Unesco 'Memory of the World' register.  I had to be content with a booklet about it, in French!!! C'est la vie.