Najac

Najac
region	Occitania
Department	Aveyron
Arrondissement	Villefranche-de-Rouergue
Canton	Aveyron et Tarn
Community association	Grand Villefranchois
Coordinates	44 ° 13 ′ N , 1 ° 59 ′ E Coordinates: 44 ° 13 ′ N , 1 ° 59 ′ E
height	158-507 m
surface	53.88 km 2
Residents	698 (January 1, 2017)
Population density	13 inhabitants / km 2
Post Code	12270
INSEE code	12167
	; Aerial view of Najac

Najac is a French commune with 698 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2017) in the Aveyron department in the Occitanie region . It is classified as one of the Plus beaux villages de France ( Most Beautiful Villages in France ).

geography

Najac is located on a ridge in the southern part of the Massif Central at a bend in the Aveyron River . The place forms the southern end of a fault ( thrust ) called the faille de Villefranche-de-Rouergue . The Serène River flows into the Aveyron at the southern municipal boundary .

history

Najac Castle

The place, which was founded as a medieval bastide , lies in the county and historical province of Rouergue and is dominated by the ruins of the royal fortress Burg Najac . It was built in the 13th century under Alfonso von Poitiers on the basis of an older complex from the early 12th century. The castle, which can be visited, is classified as a monument historique , along with the Saint-Jean church, a public fountain, the Saint-Blaise bridge and the remains of a city gate .

population

While the population development has shrunk sharply since the late 19th century, the number of inhabitants also fell significantly in the second half of the 20th century, but has stabilized since 1990.

Population development
year	Residents
1968	1,029
1975	928
1982	818
1990	766
1999	744
2006	751
2016	698

Attractions

Château de Najac , a masterpiece of military architecture from the 13th century
Romanesque church Saint-Jean from the 13th century
Saint Blaise stone bridge from the 13th century