Tanzac

Tanzac is a West commune with 308 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Charente -Maritime in the Poitou -Charentes.

Location

Tanzac is located south of Saintes or about 7.5 kilometers west of Pons in the ancient cultural landscape of the Saintonge about 28 km ( driving distance ). The main town of the Association of Municipalities, Gémozac located just 4.5 km west.

Demographics

In the first half of the 19th century, the population figures were always above 500; after the phylloxera crisis caused in viticulture and the mechanization of agriculture in a steady decline. Due to the relative proximity to the cities of Saintes and Pons and the comparatively low rents and land prices, the population of Tanzac has risen slightly again in recent years.

Economy

Agriculture and Viticulture determine for centuries the economic life of the place, also works as a commercial, craft and service center for the - acted hamlets and isolated farmsteads in the country - now largely disappeared. The soils of the community belong to the growing area of ​​the Bons Bois of the vineyard Cognac, but is grown in many areas of arable land and cereals (wheat, corn). Since the 1980s, tourism has been added ( Rentals ) as a source of income.

History

On the history of Tanzac There is little information. The Romanesque church does, however, indicate that the place existed in the Middle Ages. Whether the place in the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) was affected is not known. Also of assault and destruction during the Wars of Religion (1562-1598) or the French Revolution is not known.

Attractions

The single-nave parish church ( Eglise Saint- Saturnin ) is a building of the 12th century with a largely unadorned, but architecturally sophisticated Archivolts portal on the west facade and a - both vertically and horizontally structured through six half-columns templates by a peripheral blocks Fries - apse in the east. The breitausladende and, unusually, west of the crossing, located transept with its two eastern, completely unstructured in the outer vestibule was probably added a little later. The towering bell storey of the crossing tower could also come from a second phase - it is certainly in stark contrast to the middle floor with its blind arches. Noteworthy are also located below the eaves console Friese - some consoles are designed as human heads. The actual church has a vaulted wood; the three apses each have a dome, the southern was painted towards the end of the 13th century with a Christ - Pantocrator fresco - in the center perched Christ in a mandorla, he is surrounded by the four symbols of the Evangelists. In perfect running technique Steinmetz is the entire Vierungsbereich with his under collected in the corners of four squinches segment dome; Here you will also find some late Romanesque Blattkapitelle. We should also mention that in the 18th century, made of reddish stone pulpit on the north wall. The church is recognized as a monument historique since 1958.

Nave

Apse fresco

Cupola with squinches