Soucelles

(MAINE-ET-LOIRE)

CHAPELLE SAINT-JULIEN OU SAINTE-CROIX

The site of la Roche-Foulques, which dominates and controls the Loir Valley, was fortified by Foulques Nerra in the 11th century. In 1158, a chapel was built to house a fragment of the True Cross. The chapel is dedicated to St. Julian the Hospitaler who, according to the Golden Legend, slew dragons and serpents

The reliquary of the True Cross, which dates to the 12th century, was kept in the chapel St. Julien until the 19th century. Sold by the vicar to a goldsmith it was eventually bought by Angers's Musée des Beaux Arts where it is on display. The reliquary is in the shape of a cross of Anjou with two horizontal bars. Dimensions: vertical bar 11.2ins, lower bar 6.8ins and upper bar 4ins. It is 1.2ins thick. It is made of wood plated with gold and vermeil, inlaid with with precious stones, filigree work, ancient intaglio gems and green parchment

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