Lanleff Temple

In a small village near Brittany's 'pink granite coast' is an extraordinary structure. Its circular construction inspired many conjectures about its age, origins and purpose: an ancient temple to the sun, a Celtic place of worship...

The truth is hardly less impressive. This romanesque temple was built in the eleventh century, and is modelled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it may have been built by the Knights Templar but there's no evidence to prove that (perhaps romantic) conjecture. The inspiration and funds might equally have come from wealthy pilgrims to the holy land, for example.

The temple is partly ruined - it was used as a source of stone for local buildings including the village church opposite. However, that only adds to its romance.

Other secrets lurk here too. Two concentric circles form an ambulatory, with Roman arches and pillars. On the capitals of those pillars are carvings, now very worn. Some show fabulous beasts and perhaps strangest of all, people with strangely large hands. Clumsy carving, or something more meaningful?