Abbey of Saint Mary, Romanesque abbey in Souillac, France
The Abbey of Saint Mary is a former Benedictine abbey church in Souillac, built in the 12th century of precisely cut ashlar stone. Its single nave, about 15 metres wide, is covered by domes on pendentives, and the Latin-cross plan has a strongly projecting transept. Outside, three polygonal radial chapels ring the choir, and the crossing dome carries a lantern topped by a conical roof.
The abbey was founded in 655 by Eligius of Noyon and endured damage from Norman raids. It was reconstructed and restored multiple times over the centuries following these destructive attacks.
The inner western wall displays detailed stone carvings showing religious figures and scenes from scripture. These sculptures reveal how faith was communicated visually to people who could not read.
Visitors should allow time for a slow walk through the interior to fully take in the details on the walls and columns. A visit is best done at a leisurely pace to properly appreciate the carved details.
The organ, built by Jean-Baptiste Stoltz and dated 1 July 1850 inside its walnut case, stands above the Romanesque tympanum. Restored in 1988 by Daniel Birouste and cleaned in 2017, it is used each summer for the Heure d'Orgue concerts founded in 2003.
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