Church of Saint-Martial d'Estivaux en Corrèze

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Martial d'Estivaux is a Catholic building located in the department of Corrèze, New Aquitaine. It is located in the heart of the village of Estivaux, on the old road linking Allassac to Vigeois. Its architecture combines Romanesque elements, such as the 12th century gate and bedside, with Gothic additions, including two 15th century side chapels. The church is dedicated to Saint Martial, the first bishop of Limoges and evangelizer of Limousin.

The oldest parts of the church, including its portal and bedside, date back to the 12th century. The bedside is decorated with novel modillons representing acrobats and human masks, while two novel capitals, decorated with animals and characters, mark the transition between the nave and the choir. Lateral chapels, added in the 15th century, bear witness to a later architectural evolution. Until 1817, a cemetery surrounded the northern chapel, accessible by a direct door, before being moved out of the village.

The building houses remarkable furniture, including a 17th-century wooden bust-reliquary, representing Saint Loup, which was listed as historic monuments in 2005. A bell dating from 1474, classified in 1908, completes this heritage. The bell tower-wall, with three campanary bays, overlooks the Romanesque portal, accessible by a few steps. The east-west orientation of the church follows the tradition of Catholic buildings.

The village of Estivaux, crossed by an ancient medieval road, developed around this church, which played a central role in religious and community life. The move of the cemetery in 1817 allowed the attenant square to be renovated, reflecting the urban transformations of the 19th century.

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