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Origin and history

The church of the Invention-de-Saint-Étienne de Castries, located in the present department of the Hérault, is a religious building whose origins date back to the 12th and 14th centuries. It was first mentioned in the texts in 1247, when it was used as a seat for a priory. This building was also linked to the archdeacon function of Montpellier Cathedral, stressing its importance in the local ecclesiastical organization. The Romanesque nave, divided into three spans, was vaulted in a cradle and supported by doubles resting on columns. In the east, a doubleau probably marked the triumphal arch, while the polygonal sanctuary was adorned with corner columns and sculpted capitals representing rinches and a Christ in majesty.

In 1870, the church was severely damaged by the collapse of its vault and southern wall, reducing the building to a simple wall, now integrated as the bottom of the Castries halls. Despite its partial ruin, the remains of the church, including its architectural Romanesque elements, bear witness to its medieval past and its role in the religious and community life of the region. Classified as a Historic Monument in 1960, this ancient parish church remains an emblematic vestige of local heritage, although its present state no longer allows to fully appreciate its original structure.

The sculpted capitals, still visible among the ruins, offer an overview of the Southern Romanesque art, characterized by plant (rins) motifs and religious representations, such as Christ in majesty. These decorative elements, combined with the original architectural structure, suggest a church of some importance, probably frequented by the faithful and religious dignitaries of the time. The union of the priory at the archdiocese of Montpellier reinforces this hypothesis, indicating an integration into a wider ecclesiastical network, typical of the religious and political dynamics of the medieval Languedoc.

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