Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Beaulieu, Romanesque abbey in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, France.
Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Beaulieu is a Romanesque abbey featuring a four-bay nave topped by barrel vaults, flanked by side aisles and a transept. Beyond these elements stands a choir area with three radiating chapels that complete the building's layout.
An archbishop founded the abbey in the early 9th century, but the actual church construction did not begin until around 1100 and continued into the early 13th century. This extended building phase shows how significant the project was for the region.
The southern portal displays carved figures with religious themes that catch the eye of anyone entering. These sculptures tell stories that visitors have observed for centuries as they passed through.
The interior holds many historical liturgical objects including medieval reliquaries and religious artworks that visitors can examine while walking through. Taking time to move slowly allows you to notice the carved details throughout the space.
About 65 capitals inside feature detailed carvings of griffins and atlantes, a detail that echoes similar work found in another regional abbey of the same period. Such intricate stone carvings show the skill of the craftspeople who created them.
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