Guimiliau

French commune
nomcommune=Guimiliau
native_name=Gwimilio


caption=Church and Calvary


x=22
y=79
lat_long=coord|48|29|19|N|3|59|45|W|region:FR_type:city
insee=29074
cp=29400
région=Bretagne
département=Finistère
arrondissement=Morlaix
canton=Landivisiau
maire=Louis Fagot
mandat=2001-2008
intercomm=Pays de Landivisiau
alt mini=63
alt maxi=159 m
km²=11.22
sans=814
date-sans=1999
dens=73
date-dens=1999|

Guimiliau ( _br. Gwimilio) is a commune in Finistère department in Bretagne in northwestern France.

It is noted for its parish close. It should not be confused with the neighbouring commune and village of Lampaul-Guimiliau.

Demographics

Inhabitants of Guimiliau are called "Guimiliens".

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.

The Parish Close

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.

Gallery

ee also

*Communes of the Finistère department

References

* [http://www.amf29.asso.fr/ Mayors of Finistère Association] fr icon;
* [http://www.insee.fr/en/home/home_page.asp INSEE] en icon;
* [http://www.ign.fr/rubrique.asp?rbr_id=1&lng_id=EN IGN] en icon

External links

* [http://www.culture.gouv.fr/public/mistral/merimee_fr?ACTION=CHERCHER&FIELD_98=INSEE&VALUE_98=29074 French Ministry of Culture list for Guimiliau] fr icon