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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Saint-Laurent Church, also known as Notre-Dame de Jézeau, is a 12th-century Catholic building located in the village of Jézeau, in the Hautes-Pyrénées. It is located on the Piedmont Pyrenean Way, a variant of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Its Romanesque architecture, including its bell tower-wall with geminied bays and its semicircular bedside decorated with carved modillons, bears witness to its medieval origin. The tympano-chrism of the cemetery and the funeral plaque of Prior Arnauld del Camon (XIIIth century) recall its link with the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem, protectors of pilgrims.

Between 1530 and 1540, a fire ravaged the church and part of the village, destroying the 14th century castle. The Romanesque vault is then replaced by a vault of painted panelling, characteristic of the sixteenth century. In the 17th century, a north side was added and extended to the 19th century to respond to population growth. These transformations reflect the evolution of liturgical and community needs. Classified as a Historic Monument in 1971, the church preserves a baroque altarpiece and murals, illustrating its rich past.

The building has architectural similarities with the chapel of Agos-Vielle-Aure, notably by its bedside with archatures inspired by southern Romanesque art. His bell tower, his oculi and his models with shell motifs Saint-Jacques underline his role in welcoming pilgrims. A communal property, it remains a major testimony of the religious and hospital heritage of the Pyrenees, linked to the order of Saint John of Jerusalem and the compostellan paths.

Future

The Church of St. Lawrence is one of 71 monuments as well as 7 portions of paths have been inscribed since 1998 on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the official title of "Chemins de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle en France".

It was at the edge of one of the 4 classic tracks (Via Turonensis, Via Lemovicensis, Via Podiensis and Via Tolosana). The pilgrims therefore had to make a detour to visit it.

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