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Origin and history

The church Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens de Martaillac is a Romanesque religious building located in the hamlet of Martaillac, in the commune of Sainte-Gemme-Martaillac (Lot-et-Garonne). It stands on the remains of an ancient Gallo-Roman settlement, reflecting an ancient occupation of the site. Originally, this place gave birth to the present hamlet, highlighting its local historic importance.

Mentioned for the first time in a bubble of Pope Clement V in the early 14th century, the church went through the centuries before undergoing a major collapse in the 1970s. The frame then gives way, resulting in the disappearance of its roof. Abandoned and invaded by vegetation, it became a forgotten ruin until 1980 when the inhabitants of the village mobilized to safeguard it. Despite communal measures in 2000, degradation persists.

Since 2014, the Association Savoirs et patrimoines en Coteaux de Gascogne has organized an annual international yard to restore the building. Directed by a construction master and an architect, this project brings together volunteers trained in restoration techniques under the supervision of the departmental heritage services. In 2022, during the ninth edition, the bell tower was consolidated, marking a key step in preserving this Romanesque heritage.

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