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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur de Saint-Yaguen Church, located in the Landes department in New Aquitaine, is a religious building marked by centuries of history. Originally built in a Romanesque style in the 12th century, it served as a stage on a secondary road of the pilgrimage of Compostela. Its original architecture includes a bedside consisting of a central apse framed by two apsidioles, characteristic of the Romanesque churches of the region.

In 1569, during the Wars of Religion, the nave vault was destroyed by Protestant troops led by Montgomery. This event marks a turning point in the history of the building, requiring further repairs. The nave was finally rebuilt in 1870 by the departmental architect Alexandre Ozanne, who took advantage of this work to add a south side, partially modernizing the structure while preserving its historical character.

Among the remarkable elements of the church, the cul-de-four of the northern absidiole preserved a painted decoration dating from the early seventeenth century, reflecting the artistic and religious evolution of the monument. Classified as historical monuments by decree of 2 September 2004, the church illustrates both the Romanesque heritage of the Landes and the transformations that have been undergone as a result of conflicts and restorations.

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