Église abbatiale Saint-Amand

English translation

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History

The foundation of the abbey is due to the hermit Amantius (born around 520) who, at the request of Saint-Cybard, came to settle in the forest of Boixe. In 988, Arnaud Manze, count of Angoulême, restored the monastic establishment to the bishop of Angoulême and endowed it with numerous possessions. In 1125, the relics of the saint were transferred to the new church. In the 13th century, a fire ravaged the abbey buildings, the south wall of the nave, and the chevet. Important works were undertaken on the choir, the crypt and the vaulting of the cloister. The choir was completed in the 15th or 16th century and connected to the rest of the church. During the Hundred Years' War, the abbey fortified itself. The covering of the nave was raised and a strongroom was built above the large northern absidiole. A staircase tower was built as a free-standing structure. After the damage caused by the Wars of Religion, works were undertaken in the cloister. In the 18th century, the east and south wings were destroyed; the west wing became a presbytery house. In 1790, the west wing became the town hall and the rest was sold as national property. Works were undertaken in the 1860s: construction of the spire; restoration of the arms of the transept and the nave; destruction of the gothic chapel and the abbey buildings adjoining the church at its south-west corner.