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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church Notre-Dame de La Dornac is a Catholic building located in the village of the same name, in Black Perigord, east of the Dordogne department (Nouvelle-Aquitaine). Built in the 12th century, it underwent major changes in the 15th century, thus combining late Romanesque and medieval architectural elements. Its originality lies in the presence of two bell towers: a bell tower with three bays on the west facade, still housing two bells, and a massive square bell tower to the east, overcoming the bedside. The latter even includes a living room above the choir, where original Romanesque capitals remain.

The location of the church, in the northern part of the village, reflects its historic anchoring in the heart of the local community. Its east-facing bedside follows the medieval liturgical tradition, while the western bell tower, typical of the Périgord, illustrates the regional architectural adaptations. These characteristics bear witness to the stylistic evolutions between the central Middle Ages and the end of this period, marked by both religious, defensive and practical needs (such as housing integrated into the bell tower).

The building was listed as historic monuments on August 22, 1949, recognizing its heritage value. This official protection underlines its importance in the cultural landscape of the Dordogne, especially in the Sarlat-la-Canéda district, rich in Christian monuments. The bells still in place and the preserved Romanesque capitals recall its continuous use for nearly nine centuries, despite the transformations undergone in the 15th century.

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