Saint Girons Crypt

Hagetmau, France

The crypt of Saint Girons is a jewel of French Romanesque art. The crypt is all that remains of the church of an old abbey that is now defunct.

The abbey was built in the 4th century , on the banks of the Louts, a tributary of the Adour , on the site of the martyrdom of Saint Girons, evangelizer of the Roman province of Novempopulania. Its creation would date back to the time of Charlemagne , but there is no indication of a religious community until the 12th century when it is recorded in the donations made to the Lescar chapter. The church, damaged during the Hundred Years War and during the wars of religion, was totally destroyed in 1904, saving only the crypt.

The restored vault is supported by columns surmounted by capitals carved with biblical, mythological or vegetal motifs and ornate cymbals . The four central columns are made of red and black marble, originating from an earlier Gallo-Roman building.

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Address

Avenue Corisande 789, Hagetmau, France
See all sites in Hagetmau

Details

Founded: 4th century AD
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in France
Historical period: Roman Gaul (France)

More Information

second.wiki

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

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User Reviews

Ginger Paper (4 months ago)
Nous avons été très bien reçu. Isabelle nous a fait un commentaire appuyé de photos très intéressantes. Personne très professionnelle et connaissant très bien le sujet. Merci à vous de nous avoir consacré de votre temps. Petit édifice mais bien chargé d'histoire.
Bernard Biela (5 months ago)
Nice place, coupled with the house of the poets next door. Good welcome.
Evelyne C (5 months ago)
Small encrypted but very beautiful, upstairs a small documentary on the cagots very interesting. I had no idea what the cagots were at all. To have
Fab (6 months ago)
Very nice discovery that this site. Despite the only room, the guide will give you a very detailed description of the place without being boring. Good visit
felicite guiguemdé (11 months ago)
The crypt of Saint Girons is a place rich in Landes history and also in France. To discover without moderation.
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Historic Site of the week

Lorca Castle

Castle of Lorca (Castillo de Lorca) is a fortress of medieval origin constructed between the 9th and 15th centuries. It consists of a series of defensive structures that, during the Middle Ages, made the town and the fortress an impregnable point in the southeast part of the Iberian Peninsula. Lorca Castle was a key strategic point of contention between Christians and Muslims during the Reconquista.

Archaeological excavations have revealed that the site of the castle has been inhabited since Neolithic times.

Muslim Era

It has not been determined exactly when a castle or fortress was first built on the hill. The first written documentation referring to a castle at Lorca is of Muslim origin, which in the 9th century, indicates that the city of Lurqa was an important town in the area ruled by Theudimer (Tudmir). During Muslim rule, Lorca Castle was an impregnable fortress and its interior was divided into two sections by the Espaldón Wall. In the western part, there was an area used to protect livestock and grain in times of danger. The eastern part had a neighbourhood called the barrio de Alcalá.

After Reconquista

Lorca was conquered by the Castilian Infante Don Alfonso, the future Alfonso X, in 1244, and the fortress became a key defensive point against the Kingdom of Granada. For 250 years, Lorca Castle was a watchpoint on the border between the Christian kingdom of Murcia and the Muslim state of Granada.

Alfonso X ordered the construction of the towers known as the Alfonsina and Espolón Towers, and strengthened and fixed the walls. Hardly a trace of the Muslim fortress remained due to this reconstruction. Muslim traces remain in the foundation stones and the wall known as the muro del Espaldón.

The Jewish Quarter was found within the alcazaba, the Moorish fortification, separated from the rest of the city by its walls. The physical separation had the purpose of protecting the Jewish people in the town from harm, but also had the result of keeping Christians and Jews separate, with the Christians inhabiting the lower part of town.

The remains of the Jewish Quarter extended over an area of 5,700 square m, and 12 homes and a synagogue have been found; the synagogue dates from the 14th century and is the only one found in the Murcia. The streets of the town had an irregular layout, adapted to the landscape, and is divided into four terraces. The synagogue was in the central location, and around it were the homes. The homes were of rectangular shape, with various compartmentalized rooms. The living quarters were elevated and a common feature was benches attached to the walls, kitchens, stand for earthenware jars, or cupboards.

Modern history

With the disappearance of the frontier after the conquest of Granada in 1492, Lorca Castle no longer became as important as before. With the expulsion of the Jews by order of Ferdinand and Isabella, Lorca Castle was also depopulated as a result. The castle was abandoned completely, and was almost a complete ruin by the 18th century. In the 19th century, the castle was refurbished due to the War of Spanish Independence. The walls and structures were repaired or modified and its medieval look changed. A battery of cannons was installed, for example, during this time. In 1931 Lorca Castle was declared a National Historic Monument.

Currently, a parador (luxury hotel) has been built within the castle. As a result, archaeological discoveries have been found, including the Jewish Quarter.

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