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Origin and history

The church of Sainte-Cécile de Garrieux, located at the place called Garrieux near the pond of Salses, is a 11th century Romanesque building, although a window suggests a preromantic influence. Its architecture reflects this period, but its exact construction remains undetermined. The village of Garrieux is mentioned from 1100 under the name Villa Garicis, indicating an ancient occupation of the site.

In 1260, the church was acquired by the abbey of Saint-Hilaire, which founded a priory there. In the 14th century, a side chapel was added, followed by a second in 1449, transforming its plan into a Latin cross. In the 16th century, after a period as hermitage, it was rebuilt. The building, initially with a single nave, retains traces of these architectural evolutions.

The church's historical furniture, including a 15th-century Christ and an 18th-century Christ, is now preserved at Saint Stephen's Church in Salses. After restorations in 2011 and 2012, the site now hosts an annual Sardinian meeting on Easter Monday, perpetuating its local cultural anchor.

The church illustrates the evolution of religious buildings in Roussillon, between Romanesque heritage, medieval adaptations and contemporary restorations. His history is documented in books such as the forgotten Romanesque Churches of Roussillon (Géraldine Mallet 2003).

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