Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Martin de Calviac, located at the place called Calviac in Monflanquin (Lot-et-Garonne), finds its origins in the 12th century, when it was first mentioned in 1153 in a papal bubble confirming its links with the abbey of Sarlat. Originally, it probably depended on a local lord, who would have given it to the abbey between the late 11th and early 12th centuries. The building, formed as a priory-secure, was marked by conflicts from the thirteenth century, requiring restorations, especially of its facade. The Hundred Years' War (late 15th century) led to the reconstruction of the nave, transept and vault of the choir, while the 16th century religious wars left the church "half covered", without doors or bells, as described in the episcopal archives.

In the seventeenth century major repairs were undertaken: the bell tower was raised, and the vault of the restored choir. The church, sold as a national property during the Revolution, was purchased by M. de Saint-Amans for return to the community. The 2005 excavations revealed 6th-century sarcophagi and 10th-century burials under the building, as well as re-used ancient capitals, attesting to an ancient occupation of the site. The church, from plan to Latin cross with a unique nave and Benedictine bedside, was classified as a historic monument in 1995, thus preserving its hybrid architectural heritage, mixing Romanesque, Gothic and later additions.

The history of Calviac is also linked to the foundation of Monflanquin: in 1252, Guillaume-Amanieu, lord of Calviac, gave land to Alphonse de Poitiers to establish the bastide. Until 1802, the parish of Calviac included a vast territory, including Monflanquin, before being integrated into the parish of Saint-André. The transformations continued in the 19th century, with the partitioning of the apsidioles in 1830 and the repair of the choir around 1866. Today, the church and its adjoining cemetery, surrounded by walls, remain a testimony to the religious, political and social evolutions of the region, from medieval origins to modern times.

External links