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Origin and history

The chapel Saint Vincent d'En-Bas, also called Sant Vincenç de Baix in Catalan, is a Romanesque building located in the cemetery of Eus, at the bottom of the valley, in Occitanie. It stands out from the church of Saint Vincent d'En-Haut, located at the top of the village. Built between the 11th and 13th centuries, it features a two-nave architecture of four spans, made of stone and stone, covered with lauze. Its bedside, composed of a semi-circular apse and a rectangular apsidiole, as well as its rose marble portal of the Conflent, adorned with fantastic sculptures and braid motifs, testify to its historical and artistic importance.

The chapel was classified as Historic Monument on January 28, 1960. Its 13th century portal, integrated into the southern façade, is a remarkable element, with adorned with human masks and fantastic characters, typical of the region. The western facade, on the other hand, is surmounted by a bell tower-wall with three campanary bays. Historical sources also mention major transformations in 1213, including the construction of the main apse and the southern gate.

According to the archives, the chapel is mentioned for the first time in a donation of the late tenth century. It was donated to Saint-Martin du Canigou Abbey in 1035 and belonged to it until the Revolution. Reconstructed and reconsecrated in 1053, it underwent major changes before a last signing in 1213. The vaults and the rose marble portal probably date from this period. The masonries of the north wall, in rough rubble laid in fish edges, could be a vestige of the original construction of the tenth century.

The chapel is now owned by the municipality of Eus and is part of the emblematic religious and architectural heritage of the Eastern Pyrenees. Its architecture, combining Romanesque influences and sculptural details, makes it a precious testimony of medieval sacred art in Roussillon. Bibliographic sources, such as the work of Noël Bailbé or Géraldine Mallet, underline its importance in the study of the Romanesque churches of the region.

The chapel of Saint-Vincent-d'En-Bas is often confused with the church of Saint-Vincent-d'En-Haut, located at the top of the village. However, its location at the cemetery, at the bottom of the valley, and its unique architectural features, such as rectangular absidiole and cut stone corner links, clearly distinguish it. Its ranking among historic monuments reinforces its heritage value and its appeal to visitors interested in medieval history and Romanesque art.

The protected elements include the entire building, identified under cadastre B 1176. The chapel is today a place of memory and visit, reflecting the rich religious and cultural past of Eus and the region of the Pyrénées-Orientales. Its state of conservation and accessibility make it an essential site for historical and architectural heritage lovers.

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