Guimiliau

Guimiliau (Breton: Gwimilio) is a village in the north of Finistère (Brittany - France). It is noted for its parish close. It should not be confused with the neighbouring commune and village of Lampaul-Guimiliau.

1 Demographics
2 Local Saints
3 The Parish Close
4 Gallery
5 See also
6 References
7 External link

[edit] Demographics

Inhabitants of Guimiliau are called Guimiliens.

As of the census of 1999, the village has a population of 814.

[edit] Local Saints

Guimiliau, or Gwimilio in Breton, is named after St Miliau. The name simply means town or settlement (Breton: gwic) of Milio. According to legend, Miliau was a good and just Breton prince, put to death in a dynastic quarrel in the 6th or 9th century.

Guimiliau is also famous as the reputed birth place of St Hervé, a 6th century ascetic, who is one of the most popular Breton saints.

[edit] The Parish Close

Entrance to the parish close, showing the enclosing wall and gateway.

Parish closes are a distinctive feature of Breton culture in the historic Léon diocese, in which Guimiliau stands. As the name suggests, a close is a completely enclosed church yard, usually with a commanding entrance arch. Sacred enclosures were a feature of Celtic religion even before the arrival of Christianity. Parish closes today form the foci for pardons, the annual Breton pilgrimage festivals, which can attract thousands of worshippers.

The parish close of Guimiliau is situated at the upper end of the main village street, with the entrance dominating the village.

The calvary or crucifix is the centre piece of the church yard, surrounded by a fine and complex retelling of the Passion in statuary.

The church contains many fine examples of polychrome sculpture from the 16th century onwards, including several large retables. There is also a fine octagonal baptistery, a carved pulpit and a collection of banners used especially in religious processions at pardons.

[edit] Gallery

Detail from Retable of the Rosary.	Detail from Retable of St Miliau.	Banner of the Blessed Virgin Mary.	Detail of the carved pulpit.
Carvings of birds, snakes and vines on the baptistery pillars.	Medieval carving in the porch of the church.	Retable of St Joseph, shown in the centre with the infant Christ.	The two local saints: St Hervé, with St Miliau in the background.