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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Saint-Caprais de Saint-Caprais Church, located in the Lot en Occitanie department, is a Catholic monument dating back to at least the twelfth century. Built on a simple plane with a unique nave and a semicircular apse arched in cul-de-four, it illustrates the quercynoise Romanesque architecture. Its primitive state, probably dating from the 11th century, shares similarities with the chapel Saint-André des Arques, suggesting a well-established local constructive tradition.

During the Hundred Years' War, the church was raised on one floor to serve as a refuge for the inhabitants of the village, marking its central role in community protection. At the end of the 15th century, frescoes representing the Last Judgment, the Resurrection of the dead and a Descent of the Cross were made, of which today remains remains. These paintings testify to the religious and artistic importance of the place at that time.

In the 17th century, a new gate was built on the west façade, bearing the inscription "M – BISIERE – 1686", attributed to Antoine Bessière, parish priest from 1670 to 1699. The 18th century saw the addition of a Louis XV style wall decor in the choir, composed of gypsums, reflecting the aesthetic evolutions of the era. The sacristy was built against the bedside in the second half of the 19th century. The building was finally listed as a historic monument on 5 April 1979, recognizing its heritage value.

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