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The Romanesque capitals of Saint-Pierre in Chauvigny

The Devil | Martpan / CC-BY-SA
Collegiate church Saint-Pierre church in Chauvigny

Raised in the 12th century, the Romanesque church was the church of a chapter founded in the 9th century by barons of Chauvigny.

A chapter annulled later, before Protestants led by admiral de Coligny plundered it in 1569. Organs, bells, archives and furniture disappeared at that time.

Our church is Latin cross shape with 3 naves, transepts, an apse flanked by apsidioles and a choir.

Oh, look at these... 12th century capitals, painted in the middle of the 19th century. With the signature of the sculptor, as a bonus! We can read: GOFRIDUS ME FECIT ("Gofridus made them").

On these capitals, we can see an angel (GABRIEL ANGELUS: DIXIT GLORIA In EXCELSIS), a man sitting (BABYLONIA DESERTA), or the Lady Day with the word MARIA.

The bell-tower dates back to the 13th century, with its 3 floors with semi-circular windows.

Abandoned during the Revolution, the church was restored between 1849 and 1850. The organ is pretty modern... the former one was destroyed in the 16th century!

About the the author

Vinaigrette
I'm fond of strolls and History, with juicy and spicy details!