Saint-Martin-l'Astier - Saint-Martin

This church was a big surprise for me. It is visible from outside, that there is something strange, as the tower is just too massive..

It is not a "tower". This an octagonal chapel, that dates back to the 9th century. This is a Carolingian structure, related to Charlemagne´s octagonal "Palatine Chapel" in Aachen (= "Aix-la-Chapelle") and the oratory in Germigny-des-Prés.

There is no town near. The chapel is placed "in the middle of nowhere" next to the small river Isle. Many human bones were found during excavations, that may be even older than the rotunda. Was there a battle? Was there a cemetery? A "hospital"? Or was this a baptisterium? It is claimed here, that this is not the only such building in the Dordogne area, but in France!

The Romanesque nave that was added to the rotunda within the 12th century is not spectacular. The nave may have been ercted for the pilgrims who could cross the river nearby.