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Origin and history

The Chapel of the Penitents-Gris d'Aigues-Mortes, located in the Gard department in the Occitanie region, is one of the oldest chapels in Camargue. It found its origins at the beginning of the 15th century, when the brotherhood of the Penitents-Gris, dedicated to the relief of the sick and the needy, was founded according to tradition around 1400. A first chapel, built at that time, was destroyed in 1575 during the Wars of Religion, marking a break in the history of the place before its reconstruction.

The present chapel was erected from 1605 on the remains of the ancient, and consecrated in 1611. It underwent several major transformations: an elevation in 1676, an expansion between 1699 and 1700 with the addition of a body of building housing a staircase and a stand, and the reconstruction of the bell tower in 1802 after the revolutionary destructions of 1793, where only the high altar and its altarpiece were spared. These changes reflect the architectural and liturgical evolution of the site over the centuries.

Architecturally, the chapel is distinguished by its unique rectangular nave with flat bedside, rhythmic by Corinthian pilasters extending the retable's ordinance. Its gate, framed by pilasters and surmounted by a broken pediment, as well as its location at the crossroads of Rue Rouget-de-l'Isle and Place Paul Bert, make it a landmark of the old town. Classified as a historical monument since 2 September 1994, it today bears witness to the religious and charitable heritage of Aigues-Mortes, while still sheltering the founding brotherhood.

Until 1657, the chapel served as a burial place for members of the brotherhood, emphasizing its central role in local community and spiritual life. The revolutionary troubles of 1793 caused the destruction of the majority of his furniture, with the notable exception of the high altar and his altarpiece, elements today valuable to understand his history. The reconstruction of the bell tower in 1802 marked a renaissance for the building, perpetuating its cultural use and its anchoring in the urban landscape.

The brotherhood of the Penitents-Gris, active since the 15th century, illustrates its historic commitment to the poorest. The building, which is owned by a cult association, retains a modest but symbolic structure, with a built-in building housing a corridor, a staircase leading to the stands, and a sacristy. Its classification among historical monuments in 1994 preserved this unique heritage, a witness to the religious and charitable traditions of the Camargue.

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