Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Saint-Saturnin church of Cazes, located in Puy-l'Évêque in the Lot, has its origins in the Middle Ages. Initially a simple annex to the church of Duravel, it was first mentioned in 1289 in the registers of the notary Arnal de Salas. Its nave, probably built in the 11th century, contrasts with its bedside, portal and rose dating from the late 15th or early 16th century, reflecting a post-war reconstruction of Cent Years. The wars of Religion subsequently damaged the building, requiring major repairs.

In the 18th century, the church underwent major transformations under the impetus of the bishop of Cahors. In 1773 he ordered an examination of his resistance and the repair of the ridge vault and the nave pavement. An ordinance of 1787, whose date is engraved on the vault, launches works including windows, roof, bell tower and vaults, giving the church its present appearance. These interventions address structural concerns, such as the persistent humidity mentioned in the archives.

The choir of the church, covered with a cradle in the middle of a pit, and its arched nave house a remarkable wall decor. In the 17th century, paintings organized in independent panels adorn the walls and probably the vault of the choir. In the 19th century, the painter Cyprien-Antoine Calmon, known for his restorations at Cahors Cathedral, intervened on these paintings at the request of Bishop Grimardias. The latter also offers a stained glass window representing the Crucifixion, marked with its episcopal weapons.

Closed to the public in 1995 due to cracks on its vault, the church benefits from a local mobilization for its restoration. The association Cazes Notre Eglise Romane, created for this purpose, allows the launch of the works in 2008, financed by the city of Puy-l'Évêque. Ranked a historical monument in 2003, it now illustrates a preserved religious heritage, mixing medieval heritage and modern transformations.

Architecturally, the church is distinguished by its unique nave without side chapels, its square bedside with rounded angles, and Romanesque elements like a false-clave window engraved on the south elevation. A funerary liter, visible by a band of coat covering the building, bears witness to its aristocratic or ecclesiastical history. The baptismal tank, dug in the stone of the north wall, recalls its parish role since the Middle Ages.

External links