2 March 2018

Église Souterraine Saint Jean, Aubeterre-sur-Dronne (16), Charente (16)

The Église souterraine (also known as 'Église monolithe') in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, Charente, was hollowed out of the calcareous rock beneath the castle, and is one of the largest underground churches in Europe. Discovered was a Roman reliquary six metres high and three metres wide, and a pit containing religious relics. A necropolis contains eighty sarcophagi. It is quite possible that pilgrims on their way to Compostela used to visit this place, believing that the relics would protect them on their way. Unfortunately, it was closed at the time of our visit.

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