Fish and grape churches. These churches are situated to the east of a monastery courtyard, in the first valley in Zelve. Above the entrance to the Fish and the Grape Churches, which has partly collapsed, is the depiction of the Enthroned Mother Mary holding the Baby Jesus. On the partly collapsed vault are Archangels Gabriel and Michael holding up a Maltese Cross. To the right of the entrance is the single naved, barrel vaulted cell-like “South Chapel” containing an apse. Inside the chapel, on the sides, there are seating platforms. On the apse, in a red frame is, pictured Jesus standing and holding a book in one hand and blessing with the other. The front of the apse is decorated with a series of simple triangles and circles with dots in them. The vault is decorated with a Maltese Cross and concentric circles. The chapel probably dates back to the 10th century. The Fish and Grape churches of earlier historical eras are in two sections. Both areas have embossed cross and flat ceilings, whereas the church in the south has three abscissas, one of which is large. Fish depicted in the colour are present on the frontal of the abscissa. In the second church (inside the abscissa), depictions of raisins have been painted on white stucco. This is the reason why this religious structure group has been named the Fish and Grape church by the people living in the vicinity. Text on notice on site. Apart from that text I had great help of a detailed description on the web.
Zelve 92 126.jpg
Fish and Grape Church front with entrance 1881.jpg
Fish and Grape Church entrance with Enthroned Mother Mary 1865.jpg
Fish and Grape Church front above entrance 1880.jpg
Zelve 92 128.jpg
Fish and Grape Church Large Nave 1871.jpg
Fish and Grape Church Large Nave 1866.jpg
Fish and Grape Church Large Nave 1867.jpg
Fish and Grape Church Large Nave 1868.jpg
Fish and Grape Church Large Nave 1869.jpg
Fish and Grape Church Large Nave 1870.jpg
Fish and Grape Church Large Nave 1866 panorama.jpg
Fish and Grape Church Large Nave view in apse 1882.jpg
Fish and Grape Church Large Nave view in apse 1872.jpg
Fish and Grape Church Large Nave view in apse 1879.jpg