Timeline

Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Romanesque church of Saint-Marie-et-Saint-Pons de Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens was built in the 12th century on the remains of an older place of worship, mentioned in the 10th century under the name Ecclesia castel. Castr. S. Pontii. Its existence is attested in 977 and 990, then confirmed in 1101 in the cartular of the Gellone Abbey under the name Ecclesia that is consecrata in honor of S. Mary and S. Pontii of the Masks. This monument, linked to a castral site, illustrates the religious and strategic importance of the place in medieval times.

The present church, built of large-scale stone assembled in large apparatus, is distinguished by its pentagonal bedside decorated with discharge arches resting on pilasters. This bedside, comparable to that of the chapel Saint-Hippolyte of Loupian (excluding later fortifications), is surmounted by a chiseled moulding and retains bolt holes, traces of medieval scaffolding. Its architecture reflects regional Romanesque techniques, while integrating defensive elements inherited from its castral location.

Mentioned under the name S. Pont de Malis canibus in 1287 in the cartular of the bishopric of Maguelone, the church and its castral environment have been inscribed in historical monuments since 7 April 2005. This classification highlights its heritage value, both religious, architectural and historical, in the Occitan landscape. Its position at the top of the Circade village reinforces its role as a visual and symbolic landmark for the local community.

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