Antigny

The primitive Romanesque church dates back to the 11th century, as indicated by the narrow windows oierces in the north wall. The western façade is Romanesque as well as the nave. The square tower is surmounted by an octogonal stone spire decorated with finnials. The chevet was altered in the 15th century. A "ballet" (a sort of porch with stone benches) was built in the 18th century. A chapel dedicated to Saint Catherine was added south of the chancel towards the end of the 15th century. It is entirely decorated with very well preserved wall pintings executed during the same period.

The square tower, surmounted by an octogonal stone spire. The four angles of the tower are adorned with finnials.

Going down three steps, you enter the nave, which is rather dark, as the windows of the south wall have been blocked by the porch or "ballet". On the left (northern wall) a whole set of wall paintings probably dating from the 14th century has been uncovered since 1991. Other paintings remain to be discovered on the northern wall as well as on the southern wall, which has already been probed.

THE WALL PAINTINGS

I) - NORTHERN WALL

The paintings of the northern wall must have been an illustration of the Creed

II) - SOUTHERN WALL (probing "windows")

III) - SAINT CATHERINE'S CHAPEL

From the Annunciation to the Passion

2) the Last Judgement

3) The three Dead and the three Living

Three young horsemen are hunting with their dogs and their hawk. At a graveyard cross, they are stopped by three dead crawling with worms, who remind them of the brevity of life and of the importance of the salvation of their souls:

"What you are, I used to be, what I am, you will be"