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Origin and history

The church Saint-Pierre de Saint-Pierre-de-Bat, located in Gironde in the village crossing the departmental road D19, is a stratified historical building. Originally built in the 11th century, as evidenced by the trimmings of the south wall of the nave, it adopts a Romanesque plan in the 12th century: a unique nave extended by an apse in cul-de-four, arched in contrast to the lambrissed nave. The cornice of the abside, supported by figurative modillons, and the interior capitals (triompheal arch and choir) illustrate a rich Romanesque iconographic repertoire, mixing plant motifs, fantastic animals and moralizing scenes. The western portal, although based on Romanesque bases, has a 13th century Gothic style, with an ogival arch with three ressalts.

Major reshuffles occurred after the Hundred Years' War (XIV-15th centuries): a north side low and a south chapel were added, widening the nave. The Wars of Religion (1562-1598) transformed the building into a fortified place: the bedside was raised from a creneled wall pierced with murderous crosses, while a mâchicoulis crowned the west facade. These additions are complemented by a 16th century window and traces of a southern chapel, destroyed in the 19th century. At that time, dogive vaults were established in the nave and lower side, and painted decorations (18th century) adorn the choir. The church, partially classified in 1925 (apse and choir), was fully listed as historical monuments in 2001.

Romanesque iconography of the church, concentrated on bedside modillons and capitals, offers an overview of medieval mentality. The 30 still visible models depict scenes of daily life (music, hunting, fishing) or vices (luxury, evil representations like sirens or wolves), contrasting with the virtuous image of a mother and her child, symbol of legitimate procreation. Inside, the capitals of the triumphal arch oppose violent scenes (a man devoured by dogs) to stylized plant motifs, reflecting the duality between sin and redemption advocated by the Church.

The restorations of the 19th and 20th centuries (bells, interior decorations) preserved this hybrid building, where Romanesque, Gothic and defensive styles overlap. Today, the church of Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens remains a marker of the religious and artistic heritage of New Aquitaine, illustrating the adaptations of a place of worship to the tumults of history.

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