Guimiliau

Guimiliau (Breton: Gwimilio) is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in north-western France.

Guimiliau

Gwimilio
Commune
Parish close
Location of Guimiliau
Guimiliau
Guimiliau
Coordinates: 48°29′19″N 3°59′45″W
CountryFrance
RegionBrittany
DepartmentFinistère
ArrondissementMorlaix
CantonLandivisiau
IntercommunalityPays de Landivisiau
Government
 • Mayor (2014–2020) Louis Fagot
Area
1
11.22 km2 (4.33 sq mi)
Population
 (2017-01-01)[1]
1,009
 • Density90/km2 (230/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
29074 /29400
Elevation63–159 m (207–522 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

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

Population

Inhabitants of Guimiliau are called in French Guimiliens.

Historical population of Guimiliau
Year1793180018061821183118361841184618511856
Population1841155713281397146414951590159615301497
Year1861186618721876188118861891189619011906
Population1625162515211523152615111584156215161453
Year1911192119261931193619461954196219681975
Population1461127511561043949988818786756700
Year1982199019992008
Population760791814943

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 birthplace of St Hervé, a 6th-century ascetic, who is one of the most popular Breton saints.

Parish close
Main article: Guimiliau 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. See Calvary at Guimiliau

The church contains many fine examples of polychrome sculpture from the sixteenth 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.

  • Church and Calvary.
  • Porch left side.
  • Porch right side.
  • Nave and choir.
  • Detail from Retable of the Rosary.
  • Detail from Retable of St Miliau.
  • Banner of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
  • Detail of the carved pulpit.
  • Oak carved baptistry.
  • 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.
  • Dallam organ.
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See also

References
  1. "Populations légales 2017". INSEE. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
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