Église Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais - Jonzac, France
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member pmaupin
N 45° 26.690 W 000° 26.216
30T E 700438 N 5035563
[EN] The church Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais is a church of Romanesque style Saintongeais located in Jonzac in Saintonge. [FR] L'église Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais est une église de style roman saintongeais située à Jonzac en Saintonge.
Waymark Code: WMWZAE
Location: Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Date Posted: 11/03/2017
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member veritas vita
Views: 2

The Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais church could have been founded in the early Middle Ages, even if the current building is not older than the 12th century. The tradition (itself based on the "Pseudo-Turpin") wants Charlemagne to have deposited the remains of Saint Anthème (bishop of Poitiers in the 8th century) during a visit to the region, which nevertheless never been proven.

The central part of the facade is characteristic of Romanesque art saintongeais, with its superimposed arches, capitals, cords and modillions delicately carved. However, it presents a unique detail in the region: the presence on the last floor of eight columns ending in small conical lanterns sheltering human faces.

The church is joined in the sixteenth century two aisles, flanked by buttresses (one of them, the south wall, still bears the arms of King Louis XII). The traces of religious wars that have bloodied the region soon after are still visible, the walls bearing traces of arquebusades, leaving imagine hard fighting near the building. The church was restored in depth between 1847 and 1854 (bell tower, vaults, furniture).

The square was the subject of archaeological excavations in 2009, which revealed the presence of an important cemetery dating from the 6th and 7th centuries. Conducted by Léopold Maurel, they notably made it possible to uncover jewels (including a "Arégonde" type basket-shaped earring), weapons (knife blades, scramasaxes), fibulae, but also tissue remains. mineralized.

The building has been listed as a Historic Monument since July 2, 2001.

Sources : The Church

L'église Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais pourrait avoir été fondée dès le haut Moyen Âge, même si l'édifice actuel n'est pas antérieur au XIIe siècle. La tradition (elle-même basée sur le « Pseudo-Turpin ») veut que Charlemagne y ait fait déposer les restes de saint Anthème (évêque de Poitiers au viiie siècle) lors d'un passage dans la région, ce qui n'a néanmoins jamais été prouvé.

La partie centrale de la façade est caractéristique de l'art roman saintongeais, avec ses superpositions d'arcatures, ses chapiteaux, ses cordons et ses modillons délicatement sculptés. Elle présente cependant un détail unique dans la région : la présence au dernier étage de huit colonnettes se terminant par de petites lanternes coniques abritant des visages humains.

L'église se voit adjoindre au XVIe siècle deux bas-côtés, bordés de contreforts (l'un d'eux, au mur sud, porte encore les armes du roi Louis XII). Les traces des guerres de religion qui ont ensanglanté la région peu après sont encore bien visibles, les murs portant des traces d'arquebusades, laissant imaginer de rudes combats aux abords de l'édifice. L'église a été restaurée en profondeur entre 1847 et 1854 (clocher, voûtes, mobilier).

Le parvis a fait l'objet de fouilles archéologiques en 2009, qui ont révélé la présence d'un important cimetière daté des VIe et VIIe siècles. Conduites par Léopold Maurel, elles ont notamment permis de mettre au jour des bijoux (dont une boucle d'oreille en corbeille de type « Arégonde »), des armes (lames de couteau, scramasaxes), des fibules, mais aussi des restes de tissus minéralisés.

L'édifice fait l’objet d’une inscription au titre des monuments historiques depuis le 2 juillet 2001.

Sources : L’Eglise

Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1170

Age of Church building determined by?: Church website

If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Catholic Church

If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: From: 9:00 AM To: 6:00 PM

If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday

Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 11:00 AM

Street address of Church:
Rue St-Gervais
Jonzac, Charente Maritime France
17500


Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]

Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]

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