Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Prioral Church of Saint Martin de Chapaize, built in the early 11th century, is the only vestige of a Benedictine priory founded in the 10th century under the dependence of the Abbey of Saint Peter of Chalon-sur-Saône. Its construction began after the passage of the Lombard monk Guillaume de Volpiano in 1021 and 1023, then responsible for restoring the monastery of Sainte-Marie de Chalon. The building illustrates primitive Romanesque architecture, with marked Lombard influences, notably in its iconic bell tower of 35 meters, pierced with twined bays and adorned with Lombard bands.

Ranked as a historical monument in 1862, the church is distinguished by its basilical plan, its massive pillars, and a dome overtaking the cross of the transept. The nave, built around 1030, has a cradle vault on doubles, while the bell tower houses one of the oldest column statues in the West. The major changes of the 16th century, sponsored by Abbé Nicolas Ridolfi (grandson of Laurent de Medici), included the partial reconstruction of the nave and apsids, while respecting the original Romanesque style.

In the 20th century, urgent restoration campaigns were carried out, such as strengthening the pillars of the bell tower in 1954 by reinforced concrete structures. The church is home to remarkable furniture, including a 16th century classified Virgin Child, baptismal fonts decorated with paleo-Christian symbols, and an Empire marble high altar from Cluny. The parish priest Nicolas Genost de Laforest (1751–183), famous for his hunting, also marked local history.

Today, the Church of Saint Martin remains an active Catholic place of worship, managed by the parish of Saint Augustin-en-Nord-Clunisois. Its safeguard association, founded in 1969, works to preserve it, highlighting its heritage role in the country of art and history "Between Cluny and Tournus".

External links