Église monolithe d'Aubeterre-sur-Dronne

Aubeterre-sur-Dronne

Carved entirely out of the limestone cliff overlooking the village, this church began as a simple prehistoric cave before hosting a first sanctuary in the 8th century, of which a baptismal font survives. In the 9th century the site became a vast necropolis, with 170 graves and about 80 medieval sarcophagi cut into the rock. Viscount Pierre de Castillon, back from the First Crusade in 1099 after defending the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, had it considerably enlarged to house the relics brought back from the Holy Land: a monolithic hexagonal reliquary six meters tall, carved from a single block and inspired by the Holy Sepulchre itself, still stands at the center of the apse. A staircase of 76 steps cut into the rock leads to a circular gallery 17 m high. A stop on the way to Compostela from the 12th century, it remains the largest troglodyte religious building in Europe.

Getting there : Ticketed site

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

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