Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The cemetery of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère is a medieval complex composed of a 15th-century chapel, a Romanesque cross and a 12th and 15th-century fire. Located near the entrance to the cemetery, the rectangular chapel was once dogive vaulted, of which only the departures of veins remain. A skylight on the façade housed the bell. This place was probably the burial of the local lords, as evidenced by the four enemies aligned against the bottom wall, three of which date from the late 14th century and one from the 12th century.

The old cross, carried by a column with a Romanesque capital, dominates the tombs. The enclosures, surrounded by fence walls, also include two tombstones protected in front of the cross. The site, classified Historic Monument by decree of 27 March 1942, also includes a remarkable tree inside the enclosures. The chapel and the stars illustrate the architectural and funeral evolution between the Middle Ages and the end of this period.

Property of the commune of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, this cemetery offers a rare testimony of medieval funeral art in Périgord. The stars, broken arch niches dug in the wall, served as graves for local personalities, while the Romanesque cross recalls the religious importance of the place. The accuracy of its location is estimated as satisfactory a priori, based on available data.

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