which features two graceful Flamboyant towers. Other reminders of the abbey include the
13th-century double-naved refectory, two galleries of the 14th-century cloister, and the
ribvaulted cellar beneath the refectory.
Carl F.Barnes, Jr.
[See also: CHARTRES; CLOVIS I; GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE; MEROVINGIAN
DYNASTY]
Barnes, Carl F., Jr. The Architecture of Soissons Cathedral: Sources and Influences in the 12th and
13th Centuries. Diss. Columbia University, 1967.
——. “The Twelfth-Century Transept of Soissons Cathedral: The Missing Source for Chartres?”
Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians 28(1969):9–25.
Lefèvre-Pontalis, Eugène. “Soissons.” Congrès archéologique (Reims) 78(1911):315–37.
Poquet, Abbé, and Abbé Daras. Notice historique et archéologique de la cathédrale de Soissons.
Soissons: Voyeux-Solin, 1848.
SOLIGNAC
. The first act of consecration of the abbey church of Saint-Pierre in Solignac (Haute-
Vienne) was signed by St. Éloi (631/32). It was taken by the Muslims in 793 and by the
Vikings in 860. Almost completely ruined in 922, the present structure, consecrated in
1143, utilized the foundation of the 10th-century bell tower. This fine example of
Romanesque Périgordine architecture has a nave with two square bays, a transept with
chapels on the east wall of each arm, and a semicircular apse with three radiating chapels.
The porch dates from the early 13th century. Twelve steps descend into the nave. The
church is roofed by four cupolas (initially five; the south transept has been revaulted).
Throughout the church are granite capitals carved with palmettes, personages in
mandorlas held by angels, interlace designs, and heads of monsters. Two rows of oak
choirstalls (1479) and misericords are playfully ornamented with Gothic motifs. On the
eastern side of the north crossing, a damaged limestone frieze shows Christ in Majesty.
The church houses a gilt copper reliquary of St. Théau (14th c.). Among surviving
fragments of apse windows is the Miracle of St. Valerie presenting her head to St.
Martial.
The conventual buildings, long occupied by a porcelain factory, were the first
workshop for the production of Limoges enamels, founded by St. Éloi in 631.
Nina Rowe
Fage, René. “Église de Solignac.” Bulletin monumental 74(1910): 75–106.
——. “Solignac: église abbatiale.” Congrès archéologique (Limoges et Brive) 84(1921):237–59.
Maury, Jean, Marie-Madeleine S.Gauthier, and Jean Porcher. Limousin roman. Paris: Zodiaque,
1906.
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