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Origin and history

The Saint-Saturnin church of Aignan, located in Gers in the Occitan region, is a 12th century Romanesque building, although its origins date back to a first construction of the 11th century. Dedicated to Saint Saturnin (or Sernin), bishop of Toulouse, she is also associated with Saint Laurent. Its architecture reflects the influences of Saint-Sernin de Toulouse and Saint-Sever, with historical capitals and remarkable carved decoration. The building underwent major changes, including fortifications in the 14th century during the Hundred Years War, where it was integrated into the town's defensive system.

Over the centuries, the church was damaged by the conflicts between French and English, then by the wars of Religion. It was redesigned and expanded until the 19th century, while retaining original elements such as the Romanesque portal registered in 1927, and then the entire protected building in 2015. Its bell tower, partially rebuilt after a fire in 1545, dominates the building with its characteristic bulb. The broken cradle vaults, the cul-de-four apses and the grotesque modillons of the southern porch testify to its rich architectural heritage.

The interior houses carved Romanesque capitals, some of which depict biblical scenes such as the blessed Christ or Daniel in the lions' den. The church, initially with a single nave, was enlarged in the 12th century with the addition of a second ship and a monumental portal. The traces of its defensive past, such as slots and the round path, are still visible on the southern walls. After restoration campaigns in the 19th and 20th centuries, it remains a major testimony of the Romanesque art of gascon.

The double title (Saint-Saturnin and Saint-Laurent) has been attested since the end of the modern era. The successive transformations, from Gothic windows to 15th century warhead vaults, illustrate its stylistic evolution. Today, the church, owned by the commune of Aignan, retains an exceptional carved decoration and unique defensive arrangements, reflecting its turbulent history between spirituality and conflict.

The building, built in mosaic sandstone, is distinguished by its irregular apparatus for the oldest and most regular parts for extensions of the 12th century. The architectural influences of Toulouse and the South-West, such as the blind archatures of the choir or the grotesque models, underline its importance in the southern Romanesque heritage. His registration at the Historic Monuments in 2015 is dedicated to his heritage and historical value.

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