The church of Sainte Croix de Punéjols is located in the village of Saint-Urcisse, not far from the chapel of Notre Dame d’Aureillac.
This chapel, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, retains two Romanesque features: the north wall and the massive square tower that houses the bells. Note the variety of materials utilised: the lovely limestone of the Serres, but also several pebbles from the Garonne and red Toulouse brick.
Come and immerse yourself in the 3D virtual visit of the church. An unforgettable experience! Launch the visit by clicking on the video Matterport.
The creation of this virtual tour was 100% financed by the Lot-et-Garonne 2022 Citizen’s Participatory Budget.
Architecture
This originally Romanesque building was altered and enlarged at the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th centuries, notably with a five-sided vault and decorations. The sanctuary is vaulted, as are the four side chapels. The panelled nave opens onto a polygonal choir covered by a vault divided into eight sections decorated with carved bases and a keystone depicting Christ giving a blessing.
The sculpted capitals reflect richly-symbolic Romanesque iconography:
- a dog eating grapes (symbols of fecundity and fertility)
- winged dragons confronting one another (symbolising the duality of good and evil).
The arches rest on beautiful cul-de-lampes with expressive faces; among other expressions are: “Say nothing, see nothing, hear nothing”.
The keystone represents Christ. The two raised fingers are the sign of his teaching.
Two sculptures remain on the vaulting, they are almost certainly recycled from a former tetramorph of the lion of St Mark and the ox of St Luke.
History
The building was listed as a historic monument in 2015.