Priory of Notre-Dame de Bussière-Badil
Prieuré de Bussière-Badil / Buxeria
(Bussière-Badil, Dordogne)
The present-day church of Notre-Dame de Bussière-Badil is what remains of an ancient Benedictine priory that depended on the abbey of Sacra di San Michele in Piedmont. In earlier times, this establishment was also referred to as an abbey, but it likely changed status by the late 13th century.
This priory has been documented since the year 1028, when a colloquium was held in Bussière between the abbot of San Michele and representatives of the abbeys of Angoulême (Charente) and Brantôme (Dordogne). Later, in 1216, Pope Innocent III confirmed its affiliation with the Piedmontese abbey. The preserved building, of Romanesque origin, has undergone various modifications over time, particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries.
The church has a structure of three naves with a transept and three apses. Both the transept and the side apses were rebuilt at different times, and the main façade was reinforced with buttresses. Noteworthy is the remarkable series of capitals that have been preserved, almost all from the Romanesque period and featuring vegetal motifs, with the exception of some belonging to later restorations. Also preserved is an interesting portal with archivolts richly decorated with vegetal motifs and birds, while the exterior features other animals. Additionally, figures of apostles were added around it. To the left of the façade, there is an arch under which some very deteriorated ancient reliefs with various motifs were reused as a tympanum.
- BEAUNIER, Dom (1912). Abbayes et prieurés de l'ancienne France. Vol. 5: Bourges. Abbaye de Ligugé
- LAUGARDIÈRE, R. de (1892). Essais topographiques , historiques et biographiques sur l'arrondissement de Nontron. Bussière-Badil. Bulletin de la Société historique et archéologique du Périgord, núm. 19/1
- SECRET, Jean (1968). Périgord roman. La nuit des temps, núm. 27. Zodiaque
- VERNEILH, Baron de (1883). L'église de Bussière-Badil et le château de Laxion. Bulletin de la Société historique et archéologique du Périgord, núm. 10
Bussière-Badil is located in the northernmost part of Dordogne, east of Angoulême (Charente)