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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The monolithic chapel of Caudon, located in Domme, Dordogne, is an ancient underground Catholic place of worship, dug in a natural cave. It is considered one of the first Christianized sites of the Périgord, with traces of Gallo-Roman occupation, including sarcophagus and a fire carved in the rock. Its medieval architecture includes a west gate, two north bays for lighting, and a bellless bell tower at the top of the cliff. The adjacent cemetery, also troglodytic, marries the contours of the rock with anthropomorphic tombs.

In the Middle Ages, the chapel served as a parish church, accessible by a portal and illuminated by side openings. The natural vault was reinforced by a ridge arch, while the surrounding cliff has man-made niches, whose exact function remains uncertain. The site, a private property located near the castle of Caudon, has been classified as a historical monument since November 29, 1948 for its archaeological and architectural interest. Today, it is closed to the public due to the risk of collapse.

Historical sources, such as the work of Jean Lachastre (1967), underline his role in the early evangelization of the Périgord. The site thus combines Gallo-Roman remains (cimetery and sarcophagus) and a medieval reuse as a place of worship, illustrating the religious and funeral continuity of the territory. The chapel is mentioned in the Mérimée and Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire bases, confirming its regional and European heritage importance.

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