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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Martin de Mourens, located in the Gironde department in New Aquitaine, is a religious building of Romanesque origin built in the 12th century. It is distinguished by its western facade, once richly carved with capitals and modillons today partially destroyed by iconoclastic acts. The structure, fortified in the 16th century, was enlarged in the 17th century by the addition of two non vaulted side chapels, while traces of 18th century painted decorations remain in the choir.

The western façade retained a complex iconographic program, including biblical scenes such as the Tentation of Adam and Eve (recognizable to the tree of life and the serpent), as well as animal representations (bicorporeal lion) and figures symbolizing sins (acrobats, musicians, adultery). The four capitals of the portal, spared by destruction, show interlaces and plant motifs, while the eight modillons, though hammered, suggest "obscene" themes typical of Aquitaine Romanesque art, such as exhibitionists or demoniacs.

The building, partially registered as early as 1926 for its façade, was fully protected by order of 16 April 2002 as historical monuments. Its location, east of the village along the D227 departmental road, makes it a visible landmark for travellers heading towards Saint-Martial. The remains of its interior (eighteenth-century paintings) and exterior (sculptures) decorations illustrate the artistic and religious evolution of the region, marked by phases of creation, destruction and symbolic appropriation.

The remaining sculptures, such as the bearded head with the twisted mustaches (symbol of Vanity), or the acrobatic scenes, reflect a medieval moral iconography where lust, pride and "wrong" professions (musicians, dancers) were condemned. These elements, compared to other regional works, allow the original narratives to be partially reconstructed, although their interpretation is sometimes hypothetical because of the degradation suffered.

The property of the church belongs to the commune of Mourens, whose code Insee (33299) links it to the arrondissement of Langon. Its approximate address, 3 B Le Bourg, and its geographical location (estimated at 5/10) make it an accessible site, although the sources do not specify its current status (open/closed to visit). External resources, such as the Merimée database or the Observatoire du Patrimoine Religious, complement the historical and architectural data available.

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