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Origin and history

The church Notre-Dame de Seilhac, located in the Corrèze department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, finds its origins at least as early as the tenth century. A first written mention appears in a bequest to the monastery of Tulle under the name of Sainte-Marie de Seilhac. This primitive church, of which only the choir remains today, is confirmed as property of the monks of Tulle by a bubble of Pope Adrien II in 1154. The present building preserves Romanesque elements, such as the cut-paned apse and its historic capitals, while the lateral chapels, forming a false transept, date from the Gothic period.

In 1660, a fire ravaged the nave of the church, which would only be rebuilt a century later, around 1760. In the 19th century, significant changes were undertaken, particularly on the southern chapel, while the nave was completely rebuilt around 1880 after its partial destruction. In 1955, lightning severely damaged the arrow, marking another destructive episode of its history. Despite these hazards, the apse and the choir, witnesses of the Romanesque era, were inscribed in the historical monuments in 1977, highlighting their heritage value.

The church thus illustrates an architectural stratification typical of rural religious buildings, where are mixed Romanesque, Gothic and modern restoration influences. Its history also reflects the close ties with Tulle Abbey, on which it depended as a provost, as well as the challenges posed by recurrent fires. Today, it remains a symbol of local heritage, managed by the municipality of Seilhac and open to the visit.

The protected elements, such as the abside and its carved crows, or the capitals of the choir, offer a glimpse of the limousin Romanesque art. The separate interior statues and side chapels add to the richness of this monument, which continues to play a role in the community and cultural life of Seilhac.

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