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Origin and history

The church Saint-Martin d'Agonac, located in the Dordogne department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, is a religious building whose construction spans mainly the 11th and 12th centuries, with subsequent changes, especially in the 17th century. It belongs historically to the Episcopal Mense of Périgueux, as evidenced by a papal bubble of Urbain III in 1187 confirming his possession by the bishop. Its Romanesque architecture, marked by a vaulted nave in a cradle and cupolas on pendants, reflects regional influences, including perigordines and angoumoisines. The study of the building reveals irregularities and successive repairs, with typical diaphragm walls and traces of fortification between the 13th and 15th centuries.

The church has undergone several phases of construction according to analyses: the western wall and part of the nave date from the 11th century, while the span of the choir and the apse, covered with domes, date back to the 12th century. In the Middle Ages, it was fortified with a defensive system around the dome, including defense chambers and a spiral staircase. The current foothills, added after the Wars of Religion, stabilize the building. In the 17th century, four private chapels (Bordes, Lagut, Saint-Michel, Montardit) existed, reflecting the influence of local families such as the Chabans.

Ranked a historic monument in 1900, the church narrowly avoided demolition in 1892 thanks to its state of protection. Major restoration campaigns took place in the 20th century (1915-1943), including the consolidation of vaults, the replacement of stained glass windows by those of Francis Chigot, and the repair of the bell tower in 1956. The 14th and 17th century murals, as well as the modern stained glass windows, bear witness to its rich artistic heritage. Its current bell tower, built in 1751, replaces a non-original precedent, illustrating the continuous transformations of this emblematic place of worship.

The architectural study reveals various construction techniques: the nave, originally carpented, was vaulted in the 12th century by reducing its reach via diaphragm walls, a method inspired by Angoumois. The domes on pendants of the choir and apse, typical of the perigordin novel, contrast with the cradles of the nave. The remaining medieval fires and the missing chapels recall its central role in the religious and social life of Agonac, linked to the local lords and the bishop of Périgueux.

Historical sources point to the lack of documents before the 18th century, making the study of the church complex. The episcopal chronicles mention above all the castle of Agonac, raised in the 11th century by Bishop Froutaire to counter the Normans, then alienated and redeemed. This context explains the close links between the church and the fortress, both integrated in the defence of the territory. Modern restorations have preserved defensive elements such as bedside bahut, while adapting the building to contemporary needs, as evidenced by the 20th century stained glass windows.

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