Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The former church of Saint-Étienne de Saleilles, mentioned in 927, was destroyed in 985 during a Moorish invasion and rebuilt in 1024. The current Romanesque building probably dates back to the 12th century, as evidenced by its windows and vault. A defensive wall was added in the 13th century, and a brick bell, housing a 16th century bell, was erected in 1861. The church, never parish, depended on Théza.

Disused in 1913 after the construction of a new church, it was listed as a historical monument in 1985. Restored in 2011, it now hosts cultural events. Its simple architecture includes a unique nave vaulted in cradle and a semicircular apse. The walls, made of river pebbles and cut stone, once housed a bentier, a Baptistery and a 17th century altarpiece, now preserved in the parish church.

The entrance, in full hanger, opens to the south, while the bedside, raised, retains a chamfered cornice. The floor is paved with terracotta tiles, and inside, cracked, reveals a nave higher than the choir. The property of the commune illustrates the architectural and religious evolution of the region, from medieval invasions to its contemporary rehabilitation.

External links