Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The chapel of Aulignac, located in the commune of Bordes-Uchentein (Ariège, Occitanie region), is a 12th century Romanesque building. It is 656 metres above sea level in the hamlet of Aulignac, northwest of Ourjout. Its architecture is characterized by a unique nave ending with a cul-de-four apse, a slate cover, and a cornice adorned with a Lombard arching resting on ten carved modillons. The sober bell tower incorporates three open arcades. Inside, traces of painted decoration and religious furniture, including two wooden statuettes from the Virgin to the Child, testify to her rich liturgical past.

The chapel was restored around 1880 by David Cau-Durban, then parish priest. It has been fully registered as historic monuments since 10 July 1995. Every August 16th, a pilgrimage celebrates the Lady of Aulignac, a statuette of the Virgin considered to protect the village. The Art Culture Heritage Association of Bordes-Uchentein works actively for its preservation, while valuing the local prehistoric and historical heritage, notably through publications such as the brochure Visits of the Five Churches.

From an architectural point of view, the chapel illustrates the characteristics of southern Romanesque art, with its sober but elegant appearance. The carved models of the apse and traces of murals underline its artistic importance. The site, owned by the commune, remains a place of worship and memory, anchored in the cultural and religious life of the territory. The available sources (Wikipedia, Monumentum, Merimée base) confirm its good state of conservation and its major heritage role in Ariège.

External links