Trizay

Trizay is a West commune with 1371 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011 ) in the department of Charente -Maritime in the Poitou -Charentes.

Location

Trizay lies at an altitude of about 14 meters above sea level. inst in the historic cultural landscape of the Saintonge about 28 km ( driving distance ) northwest of Saintes and 13 kilometers southeast of Rochefort. The place Échillais with its impressive Romanesque church of Notre -Dame is just four kilometers to the northwest.

Demographics

In the 19th century the city experienced a steady increase in population from 270 in 1800 to over 800 in 1896. Phylloxera crisis and the mechanization of agriculture led to a decrease in population to 630 residents in 1954, but and because of the proximity to the city of Rochefort the comparatively low rents and land prices, the population has grown steadily in recent decades.

Economy

For centuries agriculture for the purpose of self-sufficiency of the population played the largest role in the economy of the community. But was grown in area since the Roman time, wine was distilled since the early modern period and exported to northern Europe ( esp. England ). Trizay one of the Bois ordinaires et communs of the vineyard Cognac, but most grapes are processed into wine and Pineau des Charentes for sales problems with cognac brandies. Many farmers have returned to 'normal' agriculture.

History

On the territory of the municipality there are the ruins of a megalithic tomb ( dolmen ), the deck stones, however, are broken into several parts; several bronze axes have also been found. In the 11th century one of the basic Lord ( seignerurs ) of Tonnay to the territory Trizay belonged at that time, the Abbey of La Chaise- Dieu land and probably also donated a sum of money with the condition that the town to build a priory - this was the impetus for the establishment of the priory of Saint -Jean- l'Évangéliste and the adjacent enclosure building, which later became the rank of an independent abbey held and ultimately formed the nucleus for the formation and development of the town Trizay. Now largely independent - - Monastery partially destroyed, but then hastily rebuilt to be yet given up before the start of the French Revolution During the Wars of Religion (1562-1598) was. In 1840, the inhabitants of Trizay to leave the old town center and found the place at its present location new - a chapel was built, which gave way in 1895 to the present parish church.

Attractions

• Of the approximately one kilometer west of the village lying Romanesque church of the Priory or the later Abbey of Saint -Jean- l'Évangéliste from the late 11th or early 12th century only are parts of the choir and the two - unusual for the architecture Saintonge - inclined apses. More interesting is the chapter house from the 13th century, the presence of which indicates a high degree of independence from about 300 km ( straight line ) away mother monastery of La Chaise- Dieu. His late Romanesque facade is very richly decorated (multiple columns, five open and jagged arches, Blattkapitelle ); that - apart from the rest on pillars and wall brackets ribbed vault - unadorned interior of the room, however, exudes a concentrated harmony. Dormitory and refectory are also obtained, but today often for exhibitions to be used. The entire complex is recognized as a monument historique since 1920.

Priory

Facade of the chapter house

Chapter House

• Located in a formerly independent suburban Monthérault ruined church of Notre- Dame de Monthérault is one of the oldest churches of Saintonge - a local legend after its foundation dates back to Charlemagne back, who in 777 from here in thanks for the victory at the Battle is said to have donated Montierneuf a church. Anyway - the currently visible parts are the 10th and 11th ( masonry ), partially also in the 12th century ( Hausteinmauerwerk ) to. A long time still existing tower collapsed during a storm one ( Lothar ) in 1999 and taught at further damage. The ruined church was recognized in 1996 as a monument historique.
• The covered with dark slate Belenfant Château was built in 1887 by a wealthy merchant of the community.
• At Dolmen de Buffetizon remains of human and animal teeth were found, but - just as several pottery shards - are from a later time.