Mausolée paléochrétien

English translation

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History

The discovery of this early Christian martyrium testifies to the richness and diversity of the heritage of the Viennois region. This room of modest dimensions still contains remains of wall paintings on the walls and vault, rare in the early Christian period. A corridor leads to a room, both covered with barrel vaults. The decoration covering the corridor presents motifs of cabochons, circles and fleurons. The preparatory lines were drawn with a dry point. The paintings in the room show an architectural composition. In the lunettes are represented birds. The vault is adorned with geometric motifs. This space seems to have been used for a long time judging by the remains of repainting, some of which may date back to the Carolingian period. Painted letters have been dated to the 13th century. The relative chronology is datable between the dating of the Roman walls of the High Empire and that of the Carolingian church situated above, more precisely between the 4th and 5th century. This underground ensemble seemed originally to be surmounted by a chapel. This arrangement is an indication allowing the hypothesis of a martyrium to be advanced. Saint Colombe, baptized in Vienne, was martyred in Sens. It is tempting to link this building to the veneration of the relics of the saint, which would explain the presence of medieval repaintings, the cult being perpetuated in this period. It may once have been a simple tomb.