Azille

Azille (Catalan and Occitan: Azilha ) is a municipality with 1196 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) in the Aude department ( Languedoc-Roussillon region ) in the south of France.

Location

Azille located about 35 km ( driving distance ) north-east of Carcassonne and 35 km north- west of Narbonne on the Canal du Midi. The neighboring communities of Rieux- Minervois and Caunes -Minervois are around 7 or 15 kilometers to the northwest. The place is located in the wine-growing regions of Minervois (AOC ) and Minervois -La- Livinière.

Demographics

Economy

The soils of the area are fertile - the wheat from Azille was all over the Minervois famous for its quality. Also, were and olives and wine are grown. With the completion of the Canal du Midi ( 1666) Azille experienced an economic boom that lasted until the 19th century.

Today is Azille - like the whole Minervois - mainly because of its wines known (see Minervois (AOC ) ).

History

As finds a villa rustica suggest, was the area around Azille was already inhabited in Roman and Gallo- Roman times. The Visigoths settled here temporarily as a necropolis proves. From these humble beginnings, gradually developed the place Azille, who was an important city in the Archdiocese of Narbonne in the Middle Ages. In the time of the Albigensian wars - perhaps even earlier - the town was fortified. In the late Middle Ages, two monasteries are founded - a Franciscan monastery ( 1289 ) and a Clarissenstift (1331 ). In addition Azille was one of the few smaller towns, the two parishes had (St- Julien and St- André ).

Attractions

• The Church of St- Etienne -de- Tersan at Vaissière originates from the 10th/11th. Century and has - an exception in the area - a three-aisled basilica - plan. The church was not originally vaulted, but provided only with a roof. The three apses of the choir were probably rebuilt in the 12th century.
• The single-nave parish church of St- Julien and Ste- Basilisse from the 14th century has a powerful, 36 -meter high west tower. Inside the Chapel of Jacob Brotherhood is worth seeing, in some statues and reliquaries are kept in gilded wood. Furthermore interesting is a statue of the Virgin painted stone, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful sculptures of the 14th century in the south of France.
• Of the two medieval monasteries of the Franciscans ( Cordeliers ) and the Clares, which were destroyed during the French Revolution, only ruins remain.
• The walls of the medieval fortifications were converted in later years as the house walls. Some parts still remain.
• In the vicinity of Azille there are 14 wineries, on which, in some wine tastings are possible ( initial inquiry at the Tourist Office ).