Construction of cemetery and church XVe-XVIe siècles (≈ 1650)
Period of initial site construction.
27 avril 1948
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 27 avril 1948 (≈ 1948)
Classification of the ruins of the church.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Ruins of the former church (Box A 1): inscription by decree of 27 April 1948
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character identified
The source text does not mention any related historical actors.
Origin and history
Bourigeole Cemetery is a historic site located in the village of the same name, in the department of Aude, in the Occitanie region. Built between the 15th and 16th centuries, it is marked by the presence of the ruins of an ancient church dedicated to Saint Eulalie. This building, now in ruins, had a unique nave with an apse in arc of circle. A carved stone, decorated with a sixteen-pointed sun and an inscription in Gothic letters, once overlooking its portal. This stone, now embedded in the new church of the village, is supported by two angels dressed in long robes, symbols of the religious art of the time.
The church and its cemetery have been listed as historical monuments since April 27, 1948, because of their heritage and architectural value. The carved stone, a remarkable element of the site, is protected by a frame decorated with stylized plant motifs, such as cabbages. These artistic details reflect late Gothic influences and the know-how of local Renaissance artisans. The site, although partially in ruins, remains an important testimony of the religious and funeral history of the region.
The Bourigeole cemetery is part of a historical context where parish churches played a central role in community life. In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, these places served not only as places of worship, but also as cemeteries for the inhabitants of the surrounding villages. The dedication to Saint-Eulalie, a Christian martyrdom of the first centuries, suggests an established religious tradition, while architectural elements, such as carved angels, illustrate the fusion between religious symbolism and decorative art of the time.
