Chapelle Notre-Dame de Spéluque, Religious monument in Ampus, France.
Chapelle Notre-Dame de Spéluque is a small Romanesque chapel near Ampus with a single nave and a semi-circular vaulted choir, both built from local stone. The interior displays typical Romanesque features marked by simple stone walls that give the structure its solid character.
The chapel was built around 1090 and functioned as a priory of Lérins Abbey, making it an important religious center in the region. Following the French Revolution, it was sold as state property, ending its role as an active religious institution.
The name Spéluque comes from North Provençal 'espeluca', meaning cave, which points to ancient worship traditions connected to this location. The chapel became an important pilgrimage destination that drew visitors seeking spiritual connection in this remote setting.
The chapel is accessible via a marked walking trail that starts from Ampus town hall and stretches about 8 kilometers through the countryside. The best time to visit is on weekends when the building is open and weather conditions are most favorable.
Inside the chapel sits a pentapodal altar from the 11th century, a rare five-legged religious object rather than the typical four supports. The space is further enriched by 14th-century stained glass windows depicting scenes of the Virgin Mary that add color and light to the interior.
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