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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens d'Aurignac, located in the Haute-Garonne department in the Occitanie region, is an emblematic monument combining several architectural styles: Romanesque, Gothic (11th century) and Renaissance (16th century). It is integrated into the medieval walls of the city, whose bell tower, contemporary of the first enclosure of the 13th century, once served as a defensive tower. Its porch, re-used by a dismantled building, rests on four torso columns with carved capitals, surmounted by a balustrade decorated with flamboyant Gothic motifs. The choir, decorated in Renaissance style, could be attributed to the brothers François and Jean-Antoine Pedoya, local artists.

The church benefited from the engagement of the blue penitents, a local brotherhood that participated in its maintenance through fundraising. In 2013, an exceptional donation of $100,000 from an American couple living in Houston, Texas, helped restore the roof. The southern portal, inspired by Renaissance, is distinguished by its worked lintel and symbolic sculptures (Vierge, Faith, fantastic animals like an owl or dragon). The bell tower, dated from the 16th century, overlooks an ancient 13th century town gate, illustrating the superposition of the epochs.

Classified as historical monuments since 1926, the church includes in its protection the dwindling city gate. Its polygonal bedside and angular gargoyles reflect late Gothic influences. The tympanum niches are home to hybrid figures (male siren, fantastic eagle), testifying to a rich medieval bestiary. Now a communal property, it remains an active place of Catholic worship, while attracting heritage lovers for its eclectic architecture and its history linked to the walls of Aurignac.

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