Saint-Martial Crypt

Saint. Martial Benedictine abbey was built in the 9th century where the current Place de la République is located. It was an important stopover and contemplation spot for pilgrims along the Santiago de Compostela Route. It was also an important artistic and intellectual spot for all of the medieval Christian West. A scriptorium (manuscript confection workshop) developed in the abbey during the 10th, 11th and 12th centuries, the golden age of the art of illumination. Thanks to songs called "trope"s composed by the abbey's monks, Saint-Martial of Limoges, also became famous for its polyphonic music. These musical works gave their name to "troubadours", who sang the tropes. It is also thanks to Saint-Martial that "champlevé" enamel spread all across Europe. The abbey declined during the Hundred Years War and was abandonned in 1789, then demolished in 1792. The crypt's archaeological treasures : the sarcophaguses of Saint Martial and Saint Valerie, were rediscovered in 1962 during the construction of an undergound carpark. The crypt is a registered Historical Monument.