Asquins

Asquins is a commune with 318 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Var department in the Burgundy region.

Geography

Asquins lies at the northern foot of the hill of Vézelay, 37 km south of Auxerre. West of the town rises a wooded plateau.

History

The village stands on the site of an ancient Celtic- Roman fortification. The consecration of a Christian church is at least made ​​before 1098.

In the Middle Ages had Asquins importance as the last village before reaching the shrine of Vézelay and its basilica Sainte Marie- Madeleine. There began, according to the description in the Codex calisetinus (also called Jacob Book ), Via Lemovicensis, one of the French sections of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. When the present church was consecrated in 1132, she appeared in documents as " Ecclesia peregrinorum " ( Pilgrim Church ).

In fact, should the presumed author of the Codex calisetinus, Aimeric Picaud, whose first part have written in the years before 1140 Asquins before he himself went on the pilgrimage to Santiago.

One of the ways in which pilgrims from Belgium and northern France Via Lemovicensis arrived, led by Metz Verdun, Chalons-en -Champagne and Auxerre. Who went on after him Vezelay, whose basilica first saw from the hill over Asquins. How close to many places of pilgrimage was this place, the so-called Montjoie ( "Mountain of Joy" ), marked by a stone cross. Its stone base is still there today.

Asquins which was under the abbey of Vézelay to its secularization in 1538, was involved during the Wars of Religion in 1569 in the struggles around Vézelay and partially destroyed.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, wine has been around Asquins grown. Because of the damage caused by phylloxera, however, this had to be abandoned, the old vineyards are now overgrown with pine trees. Asquins is, however, still within the defined limits of the wine-growing Burgundy region. Defined areas are approved for the production of wines under the appellation Bourgogne.

Attractions

The church of Saint -Jacques d' Asquins is since 1998 as part of the World Heritage Site by UNESCO awarded " Camino de Santiago in France."

Your nave dates from the 12th century, the north aisle of the 13th century. Other parts of the building are younger, after the destructions of 1569/70, extensive rehabilitation was necessary in particular since. The last phase of construction was carried out with the re-establishment of the church tower, the demolition of the old west facade and an increase of the presbytery from 1762 to 1775.

Noteworthy is the baroque interior of the 18th century, including especially the wooden paneling of the pillars in the nave and decorated with rich carvings and gold leaf pulpit.

The main sanctuary of the church is a colorfully painted wooden bust of the apostle James in the 16th century. It is now on display in a glass case.

Swell

• WHC Nomination Documentation (PDF, 93 MB!), Application forms for appointment as a World Heritage Site, here: Section " Vézelay ( Asquins - Fontette ), Eglise Saint -Jacques d' Asquins "