St. Mary's Church

Corneilla-de-Conflent, France

Mentioned for the first time in 1018, the St. Mary's Church, owned by the bishops of Elne, was acquired by count Wilfred II of Cerdanya, who made their capital in the town, in 1025. In 1094 count William I ordered the construction of a monastery here, which was founded in 1097 and entrusted to the Augustinians.

Until 1167, the priory acquired numerous privileges and possessions, including castles and villages. In 1356 King Peter III of Aragon ceded to the monks the old palace of the counts.

In the 14th century the church was fortified with a line of walls featuring pyramidal merlons. The priory continued to increase in importance until its secularization in 1592. After the French Revolution in 1789 it was repeatedly modified.

The church, in Romanesque style, has a façade in pink marble, surmounted by a tympanum decorated by a Madonna enthroned with Child and Angels. The columns supporting the archivolts have capitals with rampaging lions, palms and sheep. The circular apse features exteriorly Lombard bands and a sawtooth-shaped frieze, as well as three windows with archivolts over small columns.

The interior is on a nave and two aisles. It houses a retablo by Jaume Cascalls (1345). The bell tower is in Lombard Romanesque style; it has Lombard bands decorating each of the three storey, the middle one having two windows and the upper one a large arch.

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Details

Founded: 1097
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Pere Folch (5 months ago)
Santa Maria de Cornellà de Conflent Romanesque church The complex corresponds to two construction stages, one from the 11th century and the other from the 12th century. It was an old Augustinian monastery, now converted into a parish church. Mentioned in 1018, at that time it depended on the bishopric of Elna which ceded it to Count Guifré II of Cerdanya in an exchange operation signed in 1025. Guifré II's grandson, also Count Guillem I, establishing in his will the foundation of an Augustinian canonry in this parish church, at the same time that he suitably endowed it. The effective foundation of this monastic house was made a reality by his son Guillem Jordà in 1097. This church of Santa Maria stands next to the old palace of the counts of Cerdanya that they had in Cornellà, this building was handed over in 1356 by King Peter the Ceremonious to the community of canons so that they could reside there. The house lived a long period of prosperity until it was secularized in 1592, which was not an obstacle to preserve many of its assets and rights until the Revolution, from that moment on they were damaged or some of the properties were lost its dependencies, such as the Gothic cloister. The Romanesque church and some furniture from the ancient period are still preserved.
Daniel Jeanmougin (6 months ago)
A marvelous Romanesque church in Corneilla-de-Conflent from the 11th century with treasures of altarpieces, apsidioles, shaped stones, portals, statues, etc. A sumptuous visit, alas… paying, even at a very modest price, with a charming person watching at the entrance, but I just regret a place of worship and contemplation which is not open free of charge. However, I highly recommend this unforgettable visit.
Pierre Bougeard (8 months ago)
Superb Romanesque church that you can visit for 3 euros by asking at the point posted next door. The exterior is superb and the interior brings together polychrome wooden statues and period paintings. A must do!
Isabelle Eloir (2 years ago)
Very beautiful Romanesque architecture, beautiful altarpiece and remarkable painted wooden statues
Alexandre Riccelli (4 years ago)
Beautiful church in Romanesque style. The visit lasts about 20-30 minutes taking your time. The pink marble gives the whole harmonious. Church which has remained "in its own juice"
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