Dirac (Charente)

Dirac is a municipality with 1540 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Charente region of France in the Poitou -Charentes.

Location

The municipality is located in Dirac a height of about 140 meters above sea level. inst nearly seven miles ( driving distance ) south-east of Angoulême in the ancient cultural landscape of the Angoumois. The two river Anguienne Eaux Claires and forth in the municipal area.

Demographics

In the first half of the 19th century, the community had mostly 900-1000 inhabitants; due to the phylloxera crisis in the wine and the mechanization of agriculture, the population then dropped continuously from the lows of the 1930s to the 1960s. Being close to Angoulême, in the countryside significantly lower property prices in the last few decades back an increase in the population recorded.

Economy

The residents of the community lived for centuries on the principles of self-sufficiency from agriculture; only the city of Angoulême came into question as a marketplace. The soils of the community still belong to the Bons Bois of the vineyard Cognac, but the paragraphs in expensive brandies and even with wine in recent decades tended to shrink, so that the wine is no longer important.

History

The documented traditional medieval village name is Adiracum. Place and castle belonged since the time of the Crusades until the French Revolution to the basic rule ( seigniory ) of the Tison family.

Attractions

  • The Romanesque parish church ( Église Saint -Martial ) dates from the 12th century. In the 15th century the outer walls of the church were increased ( the original console frieze below the former eaves are still preserved ) and stabilized by lateral buttresses; and the pediment of the facade seems completely or partially originate from this period. The apse shows a Lisenengliederung and a verkröpftes the window arches cornice; below the eaves runs a figurative frieze designed console. Built on a square plan crossing tower has only a breakdown by arcades; the bell storey is completely unadorned. The west facade is divided into three levels - the ground floor there is a typical of the Charente triumphal arch scheme, with two cranked to the capital or fighters zones Dekorgesimse produce a horizontal link; the middle level shows a fünfbogige arcades series with an elegant feel, double columns; above this is a unadorned pediment. Noteworthy is the toga - clad, antique-looking statue in the right blend portal whose identity is unclear. The single, structured by lateral blind arches nave is covered by a barrel vault with Gurtbogenunterzügen; only the transept has a Gothic ribbed vault. The apse with its Kalottenwölbung is - apart from three windows - completely without decor. The church has already been recognized in 1913 as a monument historique.
  • From the privately owned medieval Château de Dirac are only two mighty round towers, a decorated in the 18th century living quarters (corps de logis ) frame.
  • The Logis d' Hurtebise was built in the first half of the 18th century and is also privately owned. From the previous building is still the weir bay ( bretèche ) above the entrance to receive.
  • The Logis de la Reinerie also dates from the 18th century.
  • Also, today's town hall ( mairie ), with its mezzanine windows is a building from this period.
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