Loudun

Former Sainte-Croix collegial church

PLAN

The collegial church, built in the 11th century on the foundations of an older Christian shrine, is a major Romanesque edifice in spite of all the mutilations it sustained. Originally dedicated to Our Lady, it was rechristened Sainte-Croix when the duke of Anjou presented the church with a piece of the True Cross, which he had brought back from the crusades. The chancel is particularly remarkable. The vault of the chancel is decorated with wall paintings dating back to the late 13th century. Fragments of older paintings have recently been uncovered. It was in the chancel of this church that the nuns of Loudun were exorcised during the famous possession trial of 1634. Altered, gutted by fire, the nave was used for markets and fairs for more than a century. Today, the collegial has become the Sainte-Croix Arts Complex.

General view of the chancel and its painted vault

At the centre of the vault: Crucifixion scene with the Virgin on the left and Saint John on the right; above the cross, angels carrying the moon and the sun.

French original

Crucifixion (détail): inscription: IESUS NAZARETH IU(DORUM)

On the left and right of the crucifixion scene, the Synagogue Vanquished and the Church Victorious.

The Synagogue Vanquished: head inclined, her crown about to fall, the pole of her banner broken

The Church Victorious, standing straight, with crown and nimbus, holding a chalice

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Loudun

PLAN

On the left and right of the crucifixion scene, the Synagogue Vanquished and the Church Victorious.

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