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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Church of the Assumption-de-la-Très-Sainte-Vierge, also known as the Church of Notre-Dame, is a religious building located in Bellac, Haute-Vienne. It combines Romanesque and Gothic styles, with remarkable elements such as twisted columns and a Romanesque Baptistery supported by three lions. Originally it served as a chapel at the castle of the Counts of the Marche, built in the twelfth century. Its architecture reflects medieval stylistic evolutions, with later Gothic additions.

The church was enlarged in the 14th century by a flat bedside nave and a square bell tower, then by two side chapels in the 15th century. These changes illustrate the evolution of the liturgical and aesthetic needs of the time. The 14th century southern gate and the flamboyant 15th century chapels bear witness to this architectural transition. The building was listed as a historic monument in 1926, recognizing its heritage value.

The church's Romanesque bedside features discharge arches falling on carved capitals, while the Gothic nave ends with a flat bedside topped by modern stained glass windows. These architectural details highlight the duality of construction periods. The bell tower, restored several times (notably in 1619-1622 and during the Revolution), remains an emblematic element of Bellac's urban landscape.

Inside, the church houses numerous paintings, statues and religious objects, reflecting its central role in the spiritual and community life of the city. The Romanesque nave, with its vaulted bays in a broken cradle, contrasts with the Gothic nave, accessible by large arcades in third-point. These features make it a remarkable example of medieval religious architecture in Limousin.

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