Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of the Assumption of Savenes came into being in the 11th century, when a first religious building already occupied the present site. This original building was destroyed during the Guyenne wars, a conflict that marked the region for a long time. The reconstruction took place in the 15th century, under the impetus of two local abbeys: that of Mas Grenier, who led the works, and that of Grand Selves, who contributed financially or logistically. The present church, rectangular, preserves traces of this late medieval period, especially through its massive foothills and its characteristic bell tower-wall.

During the religious wars, Protestants burned down the church without demolishing it, leaving a partially damaged structure. Originally located in the heart of the village before the Hundred Years' War, it is now isolated, reflecting the urban and demographic upheavals since the Middle Ages. Its portal, once framed by two sculpted capital columns, has only one. The interior, marked by wood panels painted and carved with baroque influence, suggests modifications after the main construction, probably in the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries.

The accompanying elements, such as sacristy and side chapels, appear to have been added after the 15th century, reflecting the evolution of liturgical and community needs. The church was classified as a Historic Monument by order of 26 March 1934, recognizing its heritage value. Owned by the municipality of Savenes, it remains a symbol of the architectural and religious resilience of the region, between medieval heritage and modern transformations.

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