St-Eutrope (Les Salles-Lavauguyon)
The Romanesque church of Saint-Eutrope in Les Salles-Lavauguyon in the Haute-Vienne department was built in the 11th century. It is known for its extensive frescoes . The church has been a monument historique since 1907 .
location
The church consecrated to Saint Eutropius of Saintes is located in the center of Les Salles (Eutropius was a missionary bishop in Saintes during the 3rd century).
Architecture and building history
The Saint-Eutrope church in Les Salles-Lavauguyon is undoubtedly a Romanesque masterpiece in the Limousin . It combines the seriousness of the Romanesque architectural style with the lightness and human dimension of the churches in Saintonge . The nave was built in 1075 by Aiméry III. , Viscount of Rochechouart , and then enlarged in the 12th century. The church was built on a stamped foundation in which several graves marked by stone slabs were laid around the nave. It was not until the middle of the 19th century that stone slabs were laid around the building.
A flourishing hatmaker's guild is said to have resided in the village when it was founded, which is why the church was named after Saint Eutropius, the patron of hatmakers. At the presbytery there is a spring under a protective structure, which is said to have alleviated rheumatism sufferers. Due to the choice of location near the source, however, the church has suffered greatly from moisture problems over the centuries.
Broad steps lead up to the west facade with the typical Romanesque entrance portal . The facade consists of five blind arches , in the niches of which sculptures were once placed above the entrance portal, but unfortunately they were destroyed; only the enthroned Christ in the central niche is still preserved. In the middle of the upper third of the facade is a large oval window lined with arched columns. Scattered sculptures and two carved corbels loosen the severity of the facade a little.
The choir and the octagonal bell tower on top of a square tower were only added to the nave at the end of the 12th century. The choir, which ends flat in the east, has three elongated oval windows with stained glass. The octagonal bell tower is a later tower due to the collapse of the original tower.
Frescoes
The inner walls of the nave are covered with frescoes, which take up a total area of almost 200 square meters. They are one of the most beautiful Romanesque frescoes in Europe. It depicts scenes from the Bible such as the creation of the world, the martyrdoms of several saints such as Saints Eutropius and Martial and the portraits of the founders of the priory. The frescoes were accidentally rediscovered between 1950 and 1953 by Abbot Fernand Combette under a thick layer of gypsum plaster when the plaster had cracked in one place and the first traces of frescoes appeared.
The frescoes have been under restoration since 1986. The paintings probably date from the period 1160 to 1195. They cover the lower side walls as well as the first yoke of the nave.
On the west side alone, the frescoes, arranged in five bands, take up 80 square meters. It depicts scenes from the Old and New Testaments such as the creation of Adam and Eve, the birth of Christ, but also vices such as greed, violence, vanity and prodigality. The lower register shows the brutal martyrdom of Saint Eutropius. The frescoes on the north and south sides continue this theme and depict the martyrdom of other saints (men and women). At the choir entrance, two depicted priors receive the visitor and welcome him. You can also see black heraldry ribbons ( liters funéraires ), but these were not attached until the 16th and 18th centuries.
Priory
The priory , which was also built in the 12th century, is built to the south of the bell tower . The priory of Les Salles was under the collegiate chapter of Saint-Junien . In contrast to the secular canons of Saint-Junien, the clergy in Les Salles were regular canons , ie they were subject to the monastic rule and were not allowed to leave the priory. It once housed 12 canons and originally consisted of two rooms, a common room in the basement and a dormitory above. Pilgrims could also spend the night in the priory.
For the five daily masses the church could be entered from both floors.
Because of the severe winters, the dormitory was later separated by a wall with chimneys on both sides. The basement was also divided, but only got a chimney. The other room was heated by the bread oven.
The former priory now only serves as a reception room for visitors to the Saint-Eutrope church. Like the church, it is also recognized as a monument historique . In 1998 it was restored at great expense in order to bring back its former glory.
West facade
Statue to the left of the entrance
Statue to the right of the entrance
Choir window
Choir window from the inside
Choir end with church tower
West side frescoes
Individual evidence
- ↑ Camus, Marie-Thérèse: Program iconographique des peintures de Saint-Eutrope des Salles-Lavauguyon . In: Cahiers de civilization médiévale. 33e année . n ° 130, 1990, p. 133-152 , doi : 10.3406 / ccmed.1990.2465 .
Web links
- lessalleslavauguyon.com (French / English)
Coordinates: 45 ° 44 ′ 33 ″ N , 0 ° 41 ′ 39 ″ E