Saint-Julien-Chapteuil - Saint-Julien

At the end of the 11th century Benedictine monks, from La Chaise-Dieu founded a priory here. The first Romanesque church (1130) consisted of a three-nave nave and a transept.

This church got altered and redesigned in Gothic style in the 17th century. Due to the increase of population the church got expanded in the 19th century, when the town had about 3000 inhabitants (today 1900). Then the nave was expanded and the facade was erected, reminding on the facade of the Cathedral of the near Le Puy.

Luckily the Romanesque capitals survived all the alterations and renovations. This mermaid has many sisters in the area. They are all skinny, have a large head and floral fins. I remember one in Monastier sur Gazeille and one in Brioude.

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I reached Saint-Julien-Chapteuil the first time of my hike from Geneva to Conques, following the "Chemin de Compostelle". I do remember that it was so very hot and I had difficulties to walk up to the church, as the mountain is very steep. And when I had reached the church, I rested inside this cool nave.