This website requires JavaScript.

Discovering Saint-Martin church in Aubigny-sur-Nère

The portal | Anecdotrip.com / CC-BY-NC-SA
Parish church Saint-Martin church in Aubigny-sur-Nère

The church

A bull of pope Alexander III mentioned Aubigny church in 1173 like a dependency of Saint-Martin-de-Tours.

A Romanesque church existed here since the 9th century, re-raised in the 12th century.

Destroyed in 1356 by the English, the church was extended by Bérault and Robert Stuart, lords of Aubigny.

During the terrible and famous fire which destroyed the town, Saint-Martin was damaged, too!

The current church was built in the 16th century. At the same time, the Stuarts started to fit out several lateral chapels.

Outside, we notice the high bell-tower (15th c.) and the Romanesque portal, with capitals where we can see… Adam and Eve!

You know what? We have here one of the only Gothic church in the area, with architectural influences from Ile-de-France (area near Paris)!

Inside...

First, we notice those pendants, on the nave, with all those little men’s heads. Funny! They date back to the 16th century. One of them, blindfold, represents a pagan! What about the nave’s pillars?

We can see epitaphs on them, from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Then, we have a nice stained glass window, in the apse! The one in the middle dates back to the 16th century, with scenes of saint Martin’s life, but also the Stuart’s blazon.

Don’t miss all the statues (16th and 17th c.), like the pretty Virgin Mary with baby Jesus.

And since we’re talking about statues… come over here! This is a wooden Entombment from the 16th century: a former retable.

We can see 3 sleeping soldiers (you loafers!) with a group composed of the Christ, Joseph, Nicodemus, the Virgin, Mary-Magdalene and saint John.

About the the author

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