Angers is situated on the western end of the Loire valley and has been an important gatekeeper for centuries, first with the Romans, then the Vikings, and finally with the Kings of France.
The fortress chateau was built by the French King St. Louis in the mid-13th century. Jousting tournaments were held inside the walls and it used to have a zoo. It now houses the Revelation Tapestry. This collection of tapestries was produced in 1373-1383 and tell the story of the Book of Revelation using medieval symbology.
It is an incredible feeling walking on walls 800 years old and thinking 'I could live here'. The building and gardens all have a very modern feel and a style that is very appealing.
The Revelation Tapestry is an "Oh Wow!" 76 hand woven panels tell the story of Christ's return with all the kingdom of God dressed in their medieval best. The symbology is illustrative, complex, and hard to understand. We had to buy the book with the pictures and the arrows to follow the descriptions. It is clear that this would have been a wonderful tool for teaching Revelation to folks who couldn't read.
Perhaps we need more tools like this today?
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
Page created on 02 Aug 2001