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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Saint-Saturnin Church of Bégdan, located in the Gironde department in New Aquitaine, is a Catholic building dating back to the 12th century. Its semicircular Romanesque apse, decorated with capitals carved with foliage and fantastic animals, is the oldest part still visible today. This apse, classified as the Historic Monuments in 1862, bears witness to the medieval religious architecture of the region, with its five outer sections and its two turrets full formerly serving as foothills.

In the 19th century, the rest of the building, with the exception of the apse, was completely destroyed and rebuilt in a neoroman style. This reconstruction includes a nave and a bell tower surmounted by an arrow, harmoniously integrating with the medieval apse. The blind groined windows on the upper floor of the apse, as well as Corinthian marble capitals, suggest a reuse of ancient elements, perhaps from an older monument.

The church, formerly dependent on Vertheuil Abbey, occupies a central square in the village of Bégadan, close to the town hall. Its early ranking in 1862 underscores its heritage importance, both for its architecture and for its historical role in local religious life. The sculptures of the apse, combining plant motifs and fantastic figures, illustrate the know-how of 12th century artisans and the influence of the artistic currents of the time.

The reconstruction of the 19th century reflects the architectural trends of restoration of the medieval heritage, characteristic of this period. The building, owned by the commune, remains an active place of worship while attracting lovers of Romanesque art and religious history. Its apse, with its committed columns and carved decorations, offers a remarkable example of Romanesque art in Aquitaine, now integrated into the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

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