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Origin and history

The Chapel of Saint Bartholomew of Peyrus is a Catholic religious building located in the commune of Aubazat in the Haute-Loire department. Built on a rocky spur, it overlooks the hamlet of Peyrusse and the Allier valley. Its architecture combines a circular Romanesque sanctuary with Gothic elements added in the 13th century, such as vaulted spans on cross warheads. Classified as a Historical Monument in 1907, it illustrates auvergnat Romanesque art with its carved capitals and murals in the apse in cul-de-four.

Originally a castral chapel of the 12th and 13th centuries, it served as a parish church for the hamlet of Peyrusse for centuries. Its western gate, sheltered by a modern porch, features an archvolt with saw teeth worn by two columns. The interior preserves an 18th century polychrome Cordoba leather antependium, classified in 1984 and restored in 2016, reflecting its rich furniture heritage.

The apse's murals and painted capitals, typical of regional Romanesque art, highlight its historical importance. The chapel, owned by the commune, remains a remarkable example of the medieval religious heritage of Auvergne, linked to the history of the Brivadois and the influence of local lords during the Middle Ages.

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