Abbatiale Sainte-Marie de Souillac, Abbey church in Souillac, France
The abbey church of Sainte-Marie de Souillac is a Romanesque church from the 12th century, standing at the heart of Souillac in southwestern France. Three large domes crown the roof and rise above the town, while the main entrance features carved stone sculptures from the same period.
The abbey was founded by Benedictine monks in the 10th century, and the current church was built during the 12th century. The building suffered damage during the Revolution, then was restored over the 19th century and listed as a historic monument in 1840.
The church keeps its role as Souillac's parish place of worship, and Mass is still celebrated there. Its name comes from the Benedictine abbey that once stood beside it. Look for the carved capitals in the nave, where figures and monsters from the Romanesque bestiary appear.
The church sits in the center of Souillac and is easy to reach on foot from most parts of town. Visiting outside of service times gives you more room to look around the interior at your own pace.
One of the most noted pieces inside is a sculpture of the prophet Isaiah, considered among the finest examples of Romanesque carving in France. In 2021, the church was added to a national inventory of endangered heritage buildings, which points to ongoing conservation work that visitors may notice during their visit.
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