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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Martial de Rudelle, located in the Lot in Occitanie, finds its origins in the foundation of the bastide of Rudelle in 1250 by the family of Cardaillac. Originally it served as a chapel for a hospital created by Bertrand III de Cardaillac, mentioned in his will in 1266. Its initial structure, simple with a single nave and a pentagonal apse, reflected its religious and hospitable role.

In the 14th century, the church was strengthened as a church fort to protect the inhabitants from the unrest associated with the Hundred Years' War. A second level, intended to serve as a shelter room, was added. It became parish church in 1470, after having depended on the parish of Théminettes. In 1471, Astorg de Cardaillac handed over his turn to the inhabitants to take refuge and store their property there, on condition of maintenance.

In 1593, during the wars of religion, the church was besieged by the Protestant Duke of Bouillan, while it was defended by the inhabitants on behalf of the Catholic Baron of Cardaillac. To avoid its destruction, the defenders surrendered. The present exterior appearance is the result of a restoration carried out in the 1890s by architect Paul Gout, which accentuated his fortified appearance by adding braces and removing the roof with four panels.

The building, classified as a historical monument in 1886, illustrates the evolution of a hospital chapel into a fortified church, adapted to the defensive needs of the region. The restoration works of the 19th century, supervised by architect Achilles Rodolosse, marked his definitive appearance, while preserving his medieval elements such as ogival vaults and armored vault keys.

The vaults of the church, with six and nine branches, as well as the arch keys decorated with heraldic symbols (patte de griffon et lion), recall the links between the families of Rudelle and Cardaillac. Later additions of the side chapels contrast with the original medieval structure, while the departures of warheads near the gate evoke a porch that has now disappeared.

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