Churches, Art in Religion

Before Roman times there must have been intense religious activity if one believes the many engraved stones, or pierres à cupules, to be found everywhere, especially in the Tarentaise and the Maurienne. During the Roman period there is no doubt that the population was devoted to the many pagan gods existing at the time. There are remnants of fana, or Celto-Roman temples, in many places, and divinities coming from the Celtic pantheon were revered with as much fervor as the Latin lares. Many of the absolutely beautiful and simple statutes of the Virgin and Christ, as well as the crucifixes to be found in the homes of those whose parents have kept them, are small works of art and faith. If at a flea market you find, as I did, a beautiful Christ of pinion pine, try not to be broke as I was on that day ... I have not found another one in the last seven years; they are rare, but once in a while good luck may be with you.