Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of the Sainte-Vierge de Selommes, located in the village of the same name in the region Centre-Val de Loire, has its origins in the 11th and 12th centuries. Its construction seems mainly to date from the 12th century, although later modifications may have altered some parts. The building consists of a nave and a choir without vaults, where the entrances of the frame, carved of animal heads, foliage and characters, remain visible. These elements, as well as the apparent needles, bear witness to a craftsmanship typical of medieval times.

The western gate, characteristic of the 12th century, is distinguished by its columns resting on carved bases, surmounted by capitals decorated with foliage. An arch in the middle of the hanger, which is itself styled with a second arch with a chamfered cord, highlights the entrance. Outside, the square bell tower, located to the north of the choir, houses a bass room once vaulted in dome on pendants and decorated with paintings. A collapse, probably due to an unspecified disaster, resulted in the destruction of this vault. To overcome this collapse, a wooden frame was installed in the middle of the room, now supporting the belfry.

The oriental wall, with its decorated gable, offers a rare example of equipment varied in small bellows. At its base, the stones are arranged horizontally, then in opus spicatum (in epi), before forming complex geometric motifs: squares placed on the angle, elongated hexagons surrounding rubble, standing or lying diamond, and finally triangles pointed upwards. This decoration, both aesthetic and structural, illustrates the mastery of medieval artisans in the layout of materials.

Classified as a Historical Monument by decree of 6 January 1926, the church now belongs to the municipality of Selommes. Its state of preservation, considered a priori satisfactory (note 8/10 for the accuracy of localization), makes it a valuable testimony of Romanesque religious architecture in Loir-et-Cher. The protected elements include the entire building, including sculptures and exterior decoration, reflecting nearly nine centuries of local history.

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