Palluau

PALLUAU (INDRE): SAINT-LAURENT PRIORY

Presque tous les documents sur l'histoire de ce prieuré ont été détruits dans un incendie au XIXème siècle. Le prieuré fut probablement fondé au XIème siécle. La crypte date de cette époque. L'édifice était dédié à Notre-Dame, ce qui explique la présence de la fresque représentant la Vierge en majesté (XIIème siècle) sur la voûte en cul-de-four de l'abside. Les peintures murales ont été exécutées au XIIème siècle, exceptés le martyre de Saint Laurent qui fut peint au XVème siècle, quand l'église fut dédiée à ce saint. Vendue pendant la Révolution pour servir d'habitation, le prieuré appartient maintenant à une association qui en assure la sauvegarde et la promotion.

Almost all documents on the history of the priory were destroyed by a fire in the 19th century. The priory was probably founded in the 11th century. The crypt dates from the foundation. The church was dedicated to Our Lady, hence the presence of a fresco representing the Virgin in Majesty (12th century) on the vault of the half-domed apse. The wall paintings were executed in the 12th century, except the Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence, which was painted when the church was rededicated to this saint. Sold during the Revolution to be used as a private dwelling , it now belongs to an association, which ensures that the edifice and paintings are safeguarded and promoted.

THE WALL PAINTINGS:

1) Virgin and Christ in majesty

The crowned Virgin is sitting on a throne shaped like a ship, which might symbolize the Ark of the Covenant and whose arm-rests represent dragon heads

Christ in majesty blessing with his right hand and holding a book in his left hand. On his left, the symbols of two of the four Evangelists: a winged lion for Mark and an angel or a man for Matthew ** A droite: nimbe criciforme du Christ - Right: Christ's cruciform halo