Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Saint Martin de Cas church, located in Espinas, is a historical monument built in the 11th century. It is part of the family of preroman buildings of the Western Rouergue, recognizable by their masonries with rounded angles and simple plan: a single carpented nave and a vaulted choir in a full-cintra cradle, finished with a flat bedside. The rustic apparatus, composed of squared bellows, and the monolithic lintel windows highlight its sober character, devoid of decor.

The first mention of the church dates from 961, where it is cited as an allodial church, that is, independent of any ecclesiastical or secular lord. From the 13th century onwards, it became dependent on the Templar Commandery of Lacapelle-Livron, before being ceded, with its parish, to the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Antonin in the 16th century. Its architecture, notably the vault of the choir and construction techniques, confirms its dating in the 11th century, as suggested by architectural analyses.

Classified as a Historical Monument by decree of 21 December 2009, the church now belongs to the municipality of Espinas. Its state of conservation and its location (latitude/longitude: 5060 Case, 82160 Espinas) make it a rare testimony of the rural religious buildings of medieval Midi. The accuracy of its location is estimated to be satisfactory a priori (note 6/10), and its communal property guarantees its preservation for future generations.

External links