Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Martin d'Espes, located in the municipality of Espès-Undurein (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), dates from the seventeenth century. It is distinguished by its painted ceiling, discovered in 2007 during restoration work. This monument was listed as historic monuments on May 19, 1925, highlighting its heritage importance in the New Aquitaine region.

The town of Espès-Undurein, created in 1842 by the merger of the villages of Espès and Undurein, belongs to the historical province of Soule, in the Basque Country. This region, marked by strong traditions such as masquerades and pastorals, has retained a rich religious and cultural heritage. The church of Espès, with its architecture and decorations, reflects this local history.

The territory, crossed by the Season and marked by a frank oceanic climate, has long been focused on agricultural activities, including breeding. The presence of two churches on the commune (Espes and Undurein) illustrates the religious importance in community life, with typical architectural elements such as the Trinitarian bell tower of Undurein.

In 2008, Espès-Undurein hosted a Souletin pastoral, a major cultural event in the Basque Country, strengthening the link between religious heritage and local traditions. The monument, owned by the commune, remains a symbol of the historical and cultural identity of this part of the Soul.

Natural hazards (floods, forest fires) and the average seismicity of the area may have influenced the construction and maintenance of the building over the centuries. Today, the church continues to bear witness to the architectural and spiritual history of this border region between Béarn and the Basque Country.

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