Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Notre-Dame-des-Échelles de Preuilly-sur-Claise found its origins at the end of the 11th century, as evidenced by a papal bubble of 1099. The building, originally composed of a unique nave and a narrower threshing choir, then belonged to St. Peter's Abbey in Preuilly in the 12th century. His archaic capitals and the bases of his bell tower, still visible, date from this Romanesque period. Local tradition evokes a foundation in 1217 by a returning lord from Jerusalem, but this hypothesis is not confirmed by architectural sources.

In the 13th century, the church underwent major changes: the construction of a Gothic gate, the opening of a lancet window, and the reconstruction of the northern absidiole and the abside. These transformations reflect the evolution of styles and liturgical needs. The choir was once again vaulted in the 15th century, with the exception of the southern absidiole, which retained its original cul-de-four. This period also saw the addition of murals, partially preserved in the 15th and 17th centuries.

Ranked among the Historical Monuments since 1987, the church illustrates almost six centuries of religious and architectural history. Its present state thus combines Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance elements, while its location at 4 rue Notre-Dame in Preuilly-sur-Claise (Indre-et-Loire) makes it a witness to the local heritage. The remains of his past, such as frescoes or capitals, offer an overview of the artistic and devotional practices of the region.

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