Pompierre

Pompierre is a small town in the French department of Vosges in the Lorraine region, with 245 inhabitants ( 1 January 2011). The name is derived from a medieval stone bridge (Pont de Pierre ).

Location

Pompierre Mouzon is on the river near the border with Champagne and about 73 km ( driving distance ) south-west of Nancy and 11 kilometers south of Neufchâteau.

History

The history of the town dates back to the Frankish time back: In the year 575 found on the stone bridge, a meeting of feuding half-brothers Chilperic I of Neustria and Sigebert I of Austrasia instead (?).

In the High Middle Ages the village belonged to the Duchy of Lorraine. In 1741 let the landlord Pompierre, Jean -Baptiste de Lavaulx, built a manor house (château ); but only half a century later, all the traditional and long-obsolete forms of manorial system were abolished by the French Revolution.

Demographics

Attractions

• The completely rebuilt in the 19th century Church of St -Martin has the most beautiful Romanesque portal of Lorraine, which still comes from its predecessor. (? Atlases or Saracens ) -: In addition to the multiple downgraded Portalgewände with richly decorated pillars set convinces the tympanum The aufruhende on the back of two crouched and naked men - lintel showing Christ's entry into Jerusalem; in the arch the Annunciation to the shepherds, the angel escorted by a flight into Egypt, the Massacre of the Innocents in Bethlehem and Adoration of the Magi are shown. The individual figures are, however - unlike in the portals of the not far distant Burgundy - isolated; also the facial expression revealing a sense of emotions. On the ornamental design of the architectural elements, the robes, the crowns, etc., however, much attention is being used.

Pompierre - Portal (detail) with Atlant (?)

Pompierre - lintel, entry into Jerusalem (detail)

Pompierre - tympanum, Adoration of the Magi (detail)

• The castle (château ) in the 18th century - more of a larger estate - located just outside the town and is privately owned.
• On the outskirts is a wash-house ( lavoir ) from 1824 that was used as a cattle trough ( abreuvoir ).
• In the surrounding area there are still some barns in France - have become rare - as everywhere in Europe.