Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The convent of Our Lady of Gorjan was founded in 1356, when the Order of Benedictines founded the monastery of the Ladies of Corjan around the church of the former parish of Saint Stephen of Gorjan (now chapel of the hospital). This religious site, originally intramural, was destroyed between 1560 and 1577 during the Wars of Religion, a conflict that ravaged part of Languedoc and forced the nuns to leave their original convent.

Around 1580, Benedictines settled again on the present site, after the ruin of their first convent. The major reconstruction took place around 1850, with the construction of the present chapel, with a rectangular flat bedside plan, marked by a pilaster gate and a topped niche. Conventual buildings gradually spread from the 17th to the 19th century, following the elevation of the land. A 17th century staircase provides access to both streets, offsetting the steep slope, while the highest north part dates back to the 19th century.

The chapel, not oriented, is stunned by external foothills supporting vaults with doghead crosses falling over pilasters. The convent was enlarged in the 19th century, including elements such as the exposed beamed ceiling of the large room (level 2). In 1981, the facades, roofs, the chapel, the large staircase and this ceiling were classified as Historical Monuments by decree, reflecting its heritage importance. Today, the site belongs to a private company, without specifying its public access.

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