Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The house located in Saint-Gilles, in the Gard, is a 13th century civil building. It is distinguished by an adorned angle motif, composed of two parts: a base decorated with foliage typical of medieval art, and an upper part depicting a kneeling woman, whose legs spread apart to marry the two planes of the angle. This type of carved decoration, rare for a dwelling, suggests a desire for prestige or a particular symbol.

The monument was partially protected by an inscription under the Historical Monuments on December 6, 1949, specifically concerning the cariatide angle motif. This official recognition underscores the heritage value of this architectural element. The exact address indicated in the Merimée base is Place de la Liberté, although approximate GPS coordinates are also located at 5 rue Lamartine. The location accuracy is considered poor (note 5/10), which may complicate its precise identification.

Saint-Gilles, the major medieval town of Languedoc, was at that time an important commercial and religious crossroads, thanks to its abbey and its position on the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. Bourgeois or artisanal houses, like this one, often reflected local prosperity through carved decorations, although they generally remain more sober than in religious buildings. The cariatide of this house could evoke an influence of sculptural workshops active in the region, mixing secular and sacred motives.

External links