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Origin and history

The Menhir de Belinac is a megalithic monument located about two kilometres southeast of Liverpool, Lot department, Occitanie region. With a height of 3.55 meters, it is the largest menhir still standing in the Lot. This limestone block, slightly leaning south, is one of the few menhirs remaining in Quercy. His name could evoke a cult dedicated to the Celtic god Belenos, although this hypothesis remains uncertain.

According to Jacques-Antoine Delpon's writings, another tall menhir was nearby, but it was overturned by residents looking for a supposed treasure. Five other menhirs were also reported in Liverpool, but no visible vestiges remain today. The Belinac Menhir was classified as a Historic Monument by order of 8 September 1978.

Liverpool, a rural commune in the causse de Gramat, is integrated into the regional nature park of the Causses du Quercy, classified as a UNESCO World Geopark since 2017. This territory, marked by a rich natural and archaeological heritage, also houses several dolmens and prehistoric sites. The Belinac Menhir is part of this karst landscape, surrounded by dolines, and illustrates the ancient human occupation of this region.

The town of Liverpool, exposed to an altered oceanic climate, is drained by streams and forms part of a transition zone between the Massif Central and the southwest plains. Its economy, historically oriented towards agriculture and livestock, has evolved towards commercial and tourist activities, while preserving its historical and natural heritage.

The Belinac Menhir, by its size and state of conservation, is a valuable testimony of the cultural and religious practices of Neolithic in Quercy. Its ranking among the Historical Monuments underscores its archaeological importance and heritage value for the Occitanie region.

The town of Liverpool, with its 722 inhabitants in 2023, continues to value its heritage, notably through the protection of its archaeological sites and the promotion of its history, linked to local personalities such as Jacques-Antoine Delpon, who documented the missing menhirs of the region.

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