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Origin and history

The Saint-Symphorian church of Anthenay, located in the village of the same name in the Grand East region, is a religious building whose origins date back to the twelfth century. It was profoundly reshaped in the 15th and 16th centuries, especially for its south arm, apse and north transept. The nave preserves square pillars and a portal typical of Romanesque art, while the sacristy and the lower sides were later added. Ranked a historical monument by decree of September 13, 1920, it illustrates the architectural evolution between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

The church's furniture includes a polychrome statue of Mary with Child dating back to the 16th century, as well as historic tile tiles whose dating remains uncertain (late Middle Ages). A tumular stone decorated with a coat of arms and a Latin inscription commemorates Adrianus Barillo, who died in October 1607. The inscription, partially illegible, evokes his life and descent, while calling for peace for his soul. These elements highlight the funeral and memorial role of the building within the community.

The architecture of the church reflects the stylistic transitions of its time: the Romanesque parts of the 12th century contrast with the Gothic and Renaissance additions of the 15th and 16th centuries. The protection of historic monuments in 1920 preserved this heritage, now owned by the commune of Anthenay. Its plan and interior decorations, such as the hercules surrounding the tumular coat of arms, bear witness to varied artistic influences typical of the rural churches of Champagne.

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