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Origin and history

The Chapel of the Black Penitents of the Holy Cross was built between 1642 and 1671 in Villefranche-de-Rouergue, in a post-war context of Religion marked by the Catholic Counter-Reform. Founded in 1609 by permission of Bishop Francis of Corneillan, the brotherhood of the Black Penitents was inspired by the ideas of Saint Francis of Sales. Its members, from the nobility of robes and from the clergy, met first in the chapel of Saint James, for lack of means to build their own place of worship.

Construction began in 1642 thanks to a donation from M. de Garibal, allowing the purchase of land near the ramparts. The architect Pierre Didry, originally from Vendée, designed a Greek cross building inspired by the chapel of the Blue Penitents of Toulouse. The first stone was laid on 10 January 1642 by Jean de Pomayrol, president of the Senechal. The work, slowed down by financial difficulties, ended in 1671, when Bishop Louis Fouquet blessed the chapel.

In the 18th century, the brotherhood embellished the building: a golden altarpiece (1709-1725) representing the Passion of Christ was installed, reducing natural lighting. In 1766, six paintings copied from the works of Boullogne le Jeune, Jean Jouvenet and Carle Van Loo decorated the walls, framed by gilded gypsum. The chapel, sold as a national property in 1792, was bought in 1805 by former members. In the 19th century, it regained its religious role before being dissolved in 1905.

Ranked a Historic Monument in 1920, the chapel retains remarkable elements: a 17th century painted wooden vault, 15th century stalls from the Abbey of Loc-Dieu, and murals rediscovered during recent restorations. Its quadrilobed plan, bulbous campanile and circular pediment make it a rare example of Baroque religious architecture in Rouergue.

Today opened for the visit, the chapel bears witness to the history of the brotherhoods of penitents, actresses of Catholic devotion after the wars of Religion. Its furniture and decorations reflect the artistic and spiritual evolutions of the 17th and 18th centuries, between Tridentine austerity and Baroque fascist.

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