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Origin and history

Saint-Barthélemy Church is a Romanesque church located in the village of Bauzens (or Beauzens), in the commune of Ajat, Dordogne department, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Built in the twelfth century, it is placed under the patronage of Saint Bartholomew, one of Jesus' twelve apostles. Its architecture is typically Romanesque, with a nave and choir separated by a triumphal arch, and a flat bedside. The building is entirely covered with lauze, traditional flat stones of the area.

Access to the church is via a western gate decorated with three arches separated by columns, two of which have carved capitals. This portal opens onto an old un arched enclosure that served as a cemetery, before leading to the nave by a second, more modest gate. The sanctuary, slightly raised, houses a wooden altarpiece depicting Jesus on the cross. Nearby is a circular dovecote, also covered with lauzes.

A bubble of Pope Calixte II, dated the 12th century, attests to the church's attachment to the abbey of Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens in Tourtoirac. This religious building, classified as historical monuments on August 25, 1909, illustrates the importance of abbeys and rural churches in medieval religious and social organization. Its bell tower-wall with a single bay and its dome styling the choir are notable architectural elements.

The Saint-Barthélemy church, owned by the commune of Ajat, bears witness to local history and Romanesque art in Périgord. Its state of conservation and protection make it an accessible historic place, although its current use (visits, rentals, etc.) is not specified in the available sources. The accuracy of its location is estimated as satisfactory a priori, according to current geographical data.

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