Église Sainte-Marie-Madeleine de Neuilly-en-Donjon, Romanesque church in Neuilly-en-Donjon, France.
The Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine is a Romanesque church building with a rectangular nave, a semicircular apse, and a bell tower rising from the eastern gable. Stone walls and regularly spaced arched windows follow the typical Romanesque design with thick masonry construction.
Built during the 11th century, the church first appeared in records of the Diocese of Autun before 1312 as a parish under Marcigny Priory. It served as the religious center for this rural community throughout the following centuries.
The carved tympanum above the entrance shows the visit of the Three Wise Men following a star, surrounded by symbols representing the four evangelists and four angels. These stone carvings tell religious stories that greet you as you approach the building.
The building underwent complete renovation between 2008 and 2010, with work on the roof, structure, and exterior walls. These repairs ensure the church is in good condition for visitors to explore today.
The lintel beneath the tympanum features intricate carved scenes showing Adam and Eve, Mary Magdalene drying Christ's feet, and the Last Supper. This lesser-studied stone carving located below the main portal entrance is worth pausing to examine closely.
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