11 juin 2007
Sainte-Marie's church of Chappes
The
church belonged to a proeuré monastery whose documents of 907,1095 and
1124 prove the existance. This religious community depended on the
abbey of Souvigny and profited a long time from liberalities from the
dukes from Bourbon. It ceased existing in the middle of XVIème century
for unknown reasons to date. Many indices leave think that the
buildings were located at the south and the east of the church.
The church
The
bell-tower rises to about thirty meters to the vertical of the chorus.
One will notice the cord of will mascarons carved which surrounds the
apse and both absidioles, cord which one finds on the frontages north
and south.
The
“caquetouer”, added to the XVIIème century on the southern frontage,
allows parish “caqueter” (to chatter) with the shelter of the bad
weather at the exit of the offices.
The buttresses of the southern frontage had to be carried out at the XIXème century to consolidate the building.
The
Romance gate of the western frontage is composed of an archivolt, of a
perfect full-clotheshanger, supported by surmounted imbedded columns of
capitals with hooks pointing out the sheets of acanthus.
They rise
to the projecting cornice along which a cord of interlaced arcs
develops. The symmetrical doors are supported by wrought iron strap
hinges which would date from XIIème century. Their points are in the
shape of snakes.
Interior
The
church is composed of a nave with four spans flanked of symmetrical
sides and of a nonprojecting transept. The smaller spans of the
transept make the connection with the apse and both absidioles round
which, in the east, closes the chorus.
The
four spans of the central nave are covered with a continuous cradle,
supported by arcs in beams and the collateral ones received vaults in
quadrant. the chorus, with transept crossing, is overcome by a cupola
on horn.
The
pillars on which fall down the side arcs indicate several periods in
the construction industry. The two Eastern known transept, cruciform
pillars, can go up in XIème century. The Eastern ravée first of the
nave present of the flanked square piles of side columns looking at the
central vessel. It would date from the beginning of XIIème century. The
three other spans of the nave with their confined square piles of four
imbedded columns, are they also of XIIème century. These last are
crowned carved capitals representing of the plants or the fantastic
beings.
The
historiés capitals are at the bottom of the church. One sees on the
southern pillar nearest to the gate a siren bifide (two water currents).
Notre-Dame of Without-Speech of Caps
this
virgin with the child is a woodcarving dated from XIIème century,
restored “richly” with XIXème. The restoration is not happier,
certainly. One put on the head of the virgin and the child of the
crowns in doubled decorated small glasswares, and one covered with
bright colors and gildings, flesh and costumes.
The
students request it the examination day before, it cures and orders
with the rain. It was found following a storm, close to a fountain. A
sanctuary was built to him, which quickly became very attended.
Our-lady of Without-speech returned the life to the children still-born
children, the time of a baptism.