Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Saint-Thamar, located in Terrou in the Lot, has its origins in the 15th century under the Columbus family, master glassmakers established in the area since 1469. These craftsmen, suppliers of glass at the Palace of Versailles in the seventeenth century, profoundly transformed the castle at that time. A fortified house already existed on the site since the 13th century, but it is under the Columbus that the house takes its present form, with a main body rebuilt in the 18th century. The family, initially Protestant, converted to Catholicism with Thamar de Columbus, lord of the place, married in 1687 to Françoise d'Escayrac de Malaval.

The castle passed through the Revolution without damage because of the popularity of François de Columbus de Saint-Thamar, mayor of Terrou several times between 1800 and 1870. When he died in 1873 without a direct heir, the estate passed to the Lachièze de Briance by marriage, then to the Gaches de Venzac. Sold in 1934 to the Soulé family, the property houses Jewish families during the Second World War. In 1944, the 2nd SS Das Reich division partially damaged the castle, a wing of which was burned but saved by the villagers. Terrou, the base of the local maquis, received the Resistance medal for his role during the war.

Ranked a Historic Monument in 1975, the castle is distinguished by its L-style architecture, round tower and schist lauze roofs. The current landscaped park, built after 1956, replaces an old French garden. The estate, which remained in the same line for five centuries, embodies the history of the Gentile Glassmen of Quercy and their architectural heritage.

The Columbus de Saint-Thamar, major figures in local history, illustrate the social ascent of a family of artisans who became noble. Their religious conversion in the 17th century reflected the tensions of the time, while their 19th century municipal commitment demonstrated their territorial anchor. The castle, symbol of this family saga, thus combines industrial heritage (glass), political (mayory) and resistant (Second World War).

External links