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Origin and history

The church Saint-Pierre de Fourmagnac, located in the Lot department in the Occitanie region, is a religious building of Romanesque architecture built mainly in the twelfth century. It is mentioned for the first time in 1146 among the possessions of Figeac Abbey, which makes it possible to date its construction of the second half of this century. The building is characterized by a unique nave, a slightly protruding skew and a semicircular apse arched in a cul-de-four. The nave walls were raised later, probably to strengthen the structure in front of the vault thrust, as evidenced by the crows visible on the south facade.

The capitals of the columns near the apse are decorated with sculptures depicting basketries and vegetal interlaces, typical of a sober and archaic Romanesque decor. The bell tower, whose upper part dates from the late nineteenth century, was enhanced after the elevation of the nave walls. The church was listed as historic monuments on June 30, 1925, recognizing its heritage value. Several movable objects of the building are referenced in the Palissy base, highlighting its rich interior heritage.

The church is built in beautiful sandstone apparatus, with the exception of the western facade, more irregular. Its south portal, with triple rollers, and carved modillons supporting the apse cornice illustrate the care taken to its decoration. The windows of the nave and part of the vaults were redone in subsequent modifications, while the massive foothills of the apse suggest partial reconstruction. The building, owned by the commune, remains a remarkable testimony of medieval religious architecture in Quercy.

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