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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The priory of Châtelars, located in the commune of Cherves-Châtelars (Charente, Nouvelle-Aquitaine), dates from the 11th century. Today, only partial remains remain: the ruins of the nave, some walls of the transept and the choir, as well as six carved capitals. The latter, formerly supports the arches of the nave and transept, are the only elements protected by a classification under the Historical Monuments since 1923.

The capitals of the transept are distinguished by their carved decoration, while those of the nave, spanned, have lost part of their ornamentation. The site, although partially destroyed, offers an architectural testimony of Poitevin Romanesque art. The location of the priory, noted as "very satisfactory" (level 8/10), allows to locate its ruins near the place called Le Châtelars, at the approximate address 5042 Le Châtelars.

No information is available on the founders, the precise uses of the priory in the Middle Ages, or its decline. The data are limited to its legal protection and current state, without details of its social or religious history. The sources only mention its partial classification and its location in the Merimée database under the code Insee 16096 (Charente).

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