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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Michel de Castelnau-Pegayrols, located in Aveyron in Occitanie, has its origins in the 11th century. A donation of 1071 by Acfred de Lévezou, local lord, attaches it to the abbey Saint-Victor of Marseille, thanks to the family ties with the Viscounts of Millau. This transfer was confirmed in 1082 by charters also mentioning a Notre-Dame church, suggesting an initial dual cult vocation.

The church gate bears an 11th century funeral inscription attributed to Jean Ingobard, the alleged builder of the building. Although its exact role (master mason or prior) remains uncertain, this epitaph bears witness to the early stages of construction. The church became parish about 1507, when the western gallery was added, decorated with the coat of arms of the lords of Castelnau, indicating their influence on the priory.

In the 18th century, the secularization of the abbey of Saint-Victor transformed the priory into a presbytery, while maintaining its link with Marseilles for the appointment of parish priests. The rediscovery of the crypt in 1866 and the classification at the Historic Monuments in 1920 underline its heritage importance. The excavations also revealed Carolingian sarcophagus in the adjacent cemetery, enriching its history.

The architecture of the site reflects its evolution: the north wing preserves Romanesque elements, while the lodge of the prior, with its Gothic hall and monumental fireplace, dates from the 15th century. The cloister and outbuildings are organized around a low courtyard, incorporating remains of the original fortified enclosure. These adjustments illustrate the adaptation of the priory to parish and seigneurial needs.

The coat of arms of the Castelnau, visible on the rostrum and the wing of the priory, confirm their patronage. Their presence, combined with that of a 15th century staircase linking the house to the church, suggests a continuous occupation by local dignitaries. These architectural and heraldic details reinforce the link between the monument and the feudal history of the Rouergue.

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