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Origin and history

The church of Auban, located in Castelnavet in Gers, is a religious building emblematic of 12th century Romanesque architecture. Its porch, adorned with a sculpted tympanum with a chrism, and its bell tower-wall with two bays make it a characteristic example of the rural churches of the region. The unique nave, devoid of lateral chapels, and semicircular abside reflect a functional simplicity unique to the local religious constructions of that time.

Classified Historic Monument by decree of 5 July 1979, the church of Auban now belongs to the commune of Castelnavet. Its sober plan and modest decorative elements, such as the porch, bear witness to a period when rural churches served as places of worship and assembly for often isolated communities. The chrism of the tympanum, an ancient Christian symbol, emphasizes the religious vocation of the building, while the absence of superfluous ornamentation recalls the technical and economic constraints of 12th century builders.

The location of the church in the Gers department in Occitanie is part of a territory marked by a high density of Romanesque buildings. These churches, often built in local stone, played a central role in the social and spiritual life of villages. Their architecture, both robust and clean, met liturgical needs while adapting to available resources. The church of Auban, with its bell tower-wall pierced with geminied bays, embodies this regional tradition, where functionality predominates over the ostentation.

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