Aubeterre sur Dronne monolithic church
If you visit the typical village of Aubeterre sur Dronne during your camping holiday in the Dordogne, don’t miss a visit to the monolithic church, also known as the underground church of Saint Jean. This one-of-a-kind religious edifice will leave a lasting impression on your memories, and you’ll still be dreaming about it when you return to your Dordogne mobile home rental.
An underground church dug out in the 12th century
The church was dug out in the 12th century, symbolizing the love of the Christian religion in the Middle Ages. What emerges today is an emotionally-charged site close to our Saint Emilion campsite. The first mission of the underground church was to keep relics safe in various pits and in a specially designed reliquary. The construction of the latter was directly inspired by that of the Holy Sepulchre found in Jerusalem during the First Crusade. It is, of course, made of limestone (as is the wall of the underground church) and is therefore logically considered a monolith.
A church on the road to Santiago de Compostela
In days gone by, pilgrims on their way to Compostela would take advantage of their time in the area to visit the relics of this church, which were supposed to protect them throughout their journey. This power, taken very seriously, was reputed to be particularly powerful. Today, a large hall can be found at the end of a wall built in the 17th century. This great hall follows on from a church hidden beneath the rock and its crypt, which were probably there long before. All these spaces can now be accessed without the slightest hitch, making this an unmissable visit during your vacation on our budget campsite in the Dordogne.
A pilgrimage site of exceptional dimensions
The dimensions of the monolithic church are exceptional, easily capturing attention as much as they impress. The questions raised are accentuated by the floor, where several hundred tombs confirm just how sacred the place is. We’re dealing here with a vast necropolis, itself a victim of the passage of time. The origin of the site is undoubtedly linked to its troglodytic ancestors, found by the Crusaders on their way to Cappadocia. As time has passed, countless pilgrims have visited this sacred and inimitable place, where it’s easy to guess the connection between the various cults that emphasize both the earth and spring water. These elements enabled the development of human beliefs at a time when the Christian era was not yet in place. The majesty and mystery of this monolithic church is a must-see for any visitor to the area, as it is on our campsite with swimming pool in the Dordogne.
