Église Saint-Martin du Vieux-Castel

About

Location: The church is located in the French department of the Dordogne, at the place known as Vieux-Castel in the commune of Castels.

History: In the Middle Ages, the church depended on Bigaroque chestnut. It was united with the monastery of Saint-Cyprien in 1309. At that time, the church was called Saint-Clair, but the parish was probably already under the patronage of Martin de Tours. The church is placed under the protection of the lords of Beynac in the 15th and 16th centuries, which probably provides some protection against the destruction of the wars of Religion. The parish was attached to Saint-Cyprien in 1809 and the church erected as a chapel in 1810. Despite the investment of the inhabitants it is disused after the construction in neo-Roman style of the church Notre-Dame more accessible but today ruined. For lack of maintenance, the church degrades and then is restored. The cemetery surrounding it was built by the municipality. The building was listed as historic monuments on November 30, 1965.