Collection
"LES ORIENTALISTES"
Romanesque Churches
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Collection "LES ORIENTALISTES" |
Romanesque Churches |
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THE COLLEGIATE CHURCH OF NOTRE DAME DE RIBÉRAC
11th Century. From its construction the church was used by the faithful clustered around the Chateau. But at the beginning of the 16th Century Count Odet d’Aydie and his wife Anne of Pons signed the founding charter for a Collegiate Church. Victims of flooding in the low town, the Benedictines from the Priory of Chalard took up residence there. They were especially required to pray for the souls of the founders, buried in the chapel in the south transept. In 1568, during the Wars of Religion, Asssiel’s Huguenot troops set fire to the church. The thickness of the walls of the apse and the base of the bell-tower resisted, and were well-preserved, but a new construction completely changed the layout. During the Revolution, for the purposes of ammunition manufacture, the “Friends of Liberty and Equality” decided to exhume the lead coffins of the Aydie family. The Collegiate Church of Notre Dame reverted to being a place of Catholic worship at the beginning of the 19th Century, following a major restoration. Today, superbly restored, the Church plays host during the summer to exhibitions of contemporary art, and to workshops set up by the Ribérac Cultural Centre – a just reward for this former Chateau Chapel, which was built around 1000AD and completely destroyed during the Revolution. The Collegiate Church of Notre Dame de Ribérac is without doubt the oldest building in Ribérac, witness to the finest hours in the Town’s history. |
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The small Romanesque Churches of the White Perigord
These churches are solid, sober and reassuring, usually topped by domes and provided with defensive positions. Eight centuries after their construction, the Romanesque Churches of the Ribéraçois allow this corner of the Perigord to boast of its Tuscan-like attractions. Most of these churches were constructed during the 11th Century – a century of peace, but also one of enthusiastic piety. Even though they are of modest proportions, there is little variation in architectural style: a single nave, often rectangular, culminating in either a flat or rounded apse. Two exceptions to this rule are those of St Privat des Près (with its low side walls) and Montagrier (with its trefoil apse). It is only rare that statues are found in these buildings. |
Acting with Foresight The people of the time installed defence chambers above the naves, and openings which resembled loopholes rather than full windows. The tall bell-towers served as keeps. In this way these Romanesque churches were also veritable fortresses, especially conceived with a view to defence. Even though domed churches like these are evident throughout the Perigord, it is in the Ribérac area that they are the most numerous, 35 being constructed at this time. There remains, however, an enigma: the dome. Some think the form shows eastern influence; for others the dome is symbolic of the protection given by God to his faithful flock. More often than not there is a single dome as, for example, at Festalemps or Bourg du Bost, but there can also be domes in a row, like those at Cherval and Paussac. Over the years the use to which these churches were put changed, even though the large majority continued to be used for worship. Thus the imposing Collegiate Church of Notre Dame de Ribérac was used for over 40 years as a store for maintenance equipment belonging to the commune! |
Bourg du Bost |
Take the D20 west out of Ribérac. After 7km you will come to Bourg du Bost. Here, as in many churches of the region, the local authorities, spured on by people conscious of the architectural and spiritual heritage of the Ribéraçois, have installed an electronic system which combines music and light. The church was built in the 12th Century and comprises a nave extended by an anti-choir, and the choir forming a semi-circular apse beneath a vaulted ceiling resembling the inside of a bread oven. Externally it is easy to see that the church has been restored at different times. The apse has been reinforced by 3 buttresses. The upper part of the bell-tower seems much later than the rest of the building. (Note also the astonishing and rare gallery in wood, dating from the 18th Century, and which is totally uncharacteristic of this area). This severe and undecorated style often distinguishes the Romanesque churches of the Ribéraçois from those of the neighbouring region around Saintes (the Saintonge). |
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It is sad not to be able to touch on the rest, but these magnificent monuments, victims of
indifference for far too long, are there for you to explore on calm winter weekends.
Discreetly, but with reverence and conviction, the Ribéraçois is improving its image… |
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Written by Nicolas PLATON
For more information : - Secret, Jean .- Périgord roman.- Zodïaque - Dordogne Périgord (collectif dir Dominique Richard, Nicolas Platon Périgord Blanc/Ribéracois) . - Fanlac |
