Solignac

Solignac ( Occitan: Solenhac ) is a commune with 1510 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Haute -Vienne in the Limousin region.

Location

The town lies on the north bank of the Briance, about 13 km ( driving distance ) south of Limoges.

Demographics

History

Origin of the present town was a monastery, the middle of the 7th century by Saint Eligius, Bishop of Noyon, was founded. The town grew outside the ramparts that surrounded the monastery area. At the beginning of the 8th century, the place and his monastery was raided by the Saracens. After the battle of Tours and Poitiers these raids did not materialize. Instead came the Normans, who rowed up around towns and monasteries with their ships to plunder the rivers in the 9th century. Location and abbey suffered again during the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) and in the time of the Wars of Religion ( 1562-1598 ).

Attractions

Abbey Church of St- Pierre et St -Paul de Solignac

Other

• The multi-winged monastery comes from the 18th century and today serves as a retirement home.
• The medieval bridge over the Briance ( Old Bridge ) from the 13th century, was intended as a direct route for the pilgrims. The pillars of the upstream facing side are pointed to, etc. can be derived for better flood logs; the downstream -facing side is completely flat. The bridge is listed as a monument historique since 1969.
• Another medieval bridge over the Briance ( pont rompu ) from the 13th century collapsed during a flood in 1993 partly in on itself, but has since been restored. The bridge is classified as a monument historique since 1990.

Twinning

• Stavelot, Belgium
• Riba- roja d' Ebro, Spain, Tarragona Province