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Origin and history

The Chapel Saint-Félix de Castelmaure, located in the department of Aude en Occitanie, is a Romanesque religious building originally built in the 11th and 12th centuries. It is distinguished by its Latin cross plan, its semicircular apse arched in cul-de-four, and lateral chapels forming transept. In the 17th century, in particular with the addition of foothills to counter compactions, the original Lombar decor (four of six leenas and traces of blind archatures) underwent structural changes. The cover, initially in high-slope slabs, was replaced by roof-to-frame tiles after the drop-walls were enhanced.

The chapel has a slight dissymmetry attributed to ancient collapses, while its posterior wall is pierced by a cruciform oculus typical of Catalan churches. A bellton with two bays, a posterior but archaic addition, overcomes the ensemble. Although first mentioned in documents in 1404, its foundation dates back to previous centuries. Abandoned in the 19th century for the benefit of the Church of Embres, it was listed as historical monuments in 1948 and now belongs to the municipality.

The last transformations date from the 18th century, marked by structural and aesthetic adaptations. The site illustrates the medieval religious architecture of Languedoc, mixing Lombard and Catalan influences. Its present state is the result of successive restorations, notably to stabilize the walls and modify the roof. Despite its cultural abandonment, its inscription in 1948 allowed its preservation as a witness to the regional Romanesque heritage.

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