Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Sainte-Marie and Sainte-Anne de Carlucet, located in the village of Carlucet on the commune of Saint-Crépin-et-Carlucet (Dordogne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine), is a religious building marked by two major periods of construction: the twelfth century for its Romanesque structure, and the seventeenth century for its Baroque transformations. The unique nave, vaulted in the middle of the hanger, ends with a seven-sided polygonal apse, typical of Romanesque art. The gate, adorned with three vestures under an archvolt, and the capitals carved of d-acanthe leaves bear witness to this first epoch. The openings of the nave and the two side chapels, added on both sides of the triumphal arch, date back to the seventeenth century, as did the partial reconstruction of the bell tower, whose base forms a narthex giving access to the church and the adjacent cemetery.

A recent discovery revealed a Romanesque mural on the north wall of the choir, depicting the risen Christ coming out of his tomb, surrounded by instruments of the Passion and kneeling sponsors. This fresco, exceptional by its iconography, illustrates the passage between death and resurrection, a central theme of medieval Christian theology. The church furniture, including 12th century baptismal fonts classified in 1949 and a 17th century walnut altarpiece decorated with Passion scenes, completes this artistic heritage. The altarpiece, classified in 1999, includes a painting of 1682 representing the Crucifixion, framed by angelelots sculptures and plant motifs.

The church-attracting cemetery houses a rare 17th century fire, built thanks to the parish priest François de Costes, where the tombs are integrated into the thickness of the wall. This cemetery, as well as the former priory, were inscribed in the Historical Monuments in 1948, while the church itself was classified in 1977. The ensemble reflects the architectural and spiritual evolution of the site, from its medieval origin as a place of worship and burial to its Baroque enrichments, testifying to the religious and artistic vitality of the region throughout the centuries.

The remarkable furniture elements also include two 17th-century statues, representing Saint Scolastique and Saint Benedict, placed on both sides of the altarpiece. The side chapels house carved wooden altarpieces surrounding local canvases: to the north, a representation of the Don of the Rosary to Saint Dominique and Saint Catherine of Siena, symbolized by a dog holding a torch (Domini canis); to the south, a Holy Family under divine protection. These works illustrate the influence of the Counter-Reform and the persistence of local artisanal traditions.

The church of Sainte-Marie and Sainte-Anne, with its hybrid architecture and preserved furniture, offers a complete panorama of sacred art in Périgord, from the Middle Ages to the modern era. Its classification and its successive inscriptions underline its heritage importance, while recent restorations, such as the update of the mural painting, continue to enrich the knowledge of this emblematic monument of the Dordogne.

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