Notre-Dame of Lemboulari (Moissac) unearthed
The renovation and development of the abbey of Saint-Pierre in Moissac (Fr) led to the accidental discovery of tombs and walls.
The abbey is one of the most beautiful French architectural ensembles with its extraordinary Romanesque sculptures
Founded probably around the ninth century, the abbey is attached to the powerful abbey of Cluny in the middle of the eleventh century and became, in the twelfth century, the most eminent monastic center in the south-west of France.
The abbey church of Saint-Pierre is a major stop on the road to St Jacques de Compostela, halfway between Le Puy-en-Velay and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
The current archaeological work unearthed a chapel of the twelfth century in an exceptional state of preservation.
Walls, preserved more than one meter in height, are trademarks of jobbers that are also found in the gatehouse of the abbey, signs that the same craftsmen worked for both buildings.
This chapel is distinguished by the presence of benches along the walls, they were used for meeting of the abbey chapter.
The floor presents with original terracotta tiles, under an apparent soil dated thirteenth century, which is decorated.
From the worn tiles and openings allowing access to other levels, we learn about the circulation spaces within the building.
This chapel, which all traces had disappeared, is not unknown to the inhabitants of Moissac.
Through oral tradition, a polychrome Pietà from the treasure of the abbey church of Saint-Pierre, dated fifteenth century, crossed the centuries with the name of Notre-Dame of Lemboulari. The relationship with the unearthed chapel can be advanced.
Polydorus's Blog 
Leave a comment