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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Étienne de Cournanel, located in the village of the same name in Occitanie, is a religious building whose origins date back to the 12th century. It is distinguished by its unique nave, without side chapels, and its three-bay wall bell tower with bells dating from 1606 and 1623. Close to the fountain and dominated by the ancient castle of the bishops of Alet, it embodies the local medieval heritage, profoundly redesigned in the 15th and 19th centuries.

The church is mentioned for the first time in 1162, under the dependence of the abbey and then the bishopric of Alet, whose bishops made it their residence after the destruction of their palace by the Huguenots. Its semicircular apse, built of pebbles and bricks, and the tombstone of Stephen de Polverel (bishop from 1607 to 1637) bear witness to its connection to regional religious history. Partially classified as historical monuments in 1948, it was restored in 2005 as part of Operation Toques and Bell Towers.

Architecturally, the building combines simplicity and symbolism: the nave of the 12th century, redesigned, contrasts with later additions like the bell tower. The ancient bells, including that of 1606 kept inside, underline its central role in community life. The parish, originally presented by Abbé d'Alet, passed under the control of the bishops, reflecting the political and religious evolutions of the region, especially during the Wars of Religion.

Today owned by the commune, the church of Saint-Étienne remains an identity marker of Cournanel. Its inscription in the title of historical monuments (with the exception of the choir) and its presence in the bases Mérimée and Clochers de France make it a protected heritage, although its exact location is considered a priori satisfactory (level 6/10) by the available sources. The Creative Commons license for associated photos facilitates its cultural dissemination.

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