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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The former chapel of the Templars of Nouvion and Catillon, in the Aisne, dates from the 4th quarter of the 12th century. It stands at the edge of the Way of the Romans, a route corresponding to the ancient Roman way between Saint Quentin and Reims. This monument, now partially in ruins, bears witness to the Templar presence in the region, linked to a commandery attested from the beginning of the thirteenth century.

The first written mention of the commandary dates back to 1204, when Wibert, abbot of Saint-Martin de Laon, gave to the Templars lands located in the parish of Richecourt. Then a conflict between the Templars and the pre-monstrated canons of Saint Martin around 1232, revealing the local tensions around land and religious possessions. These documents confirm the strategic importance of the site, at the crossroads of roads and ecclesiastical powers.

Ranked a historical monument by decree of 8 February 1928, the chapel is now protected for its remains, including the remains of the original building. Its location, close to the Roman Way, suggests a role both spiritual and logistical for pilgrims or travellers of the time. Archivist and archaeological sources underline its integration into the network of Templar Commandries in northern France.

The site, located in the 4 Catillon du Temple, retains a geographical accuracy deemed satisfactory (level 7/10). Although the practical information about his visit remains limited, his inscription in the national heritage makes him a major historical marker of the Hauts-de-France, illustrating the medieval heritage and the influence of military-religious orders in the region.

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