The Governor’s House, Najac
Centre of Interpretation of Architecture and Heritage of the Bastide Towns of Rouergue
A la une
La Nuit des musées s’invite à la Maison du Gouverneur
La Nuit des musées s’invite à la Maison du Gouverneur,
Samedi 14 novembre 2020
De 20h à 23h découvrez la Maison du Gouverneur comme vous ne l’avez encore jamais vue :
de nuit, à la lumière d’une lampe torche !
Jeu de piste pour enfants et adultes spécial Halloween
Jeu de piste pour enfants et adultes spécial Halloween
Najac, samedi 31 octobre 1764, les jambons du gouverneur ont disparu !
Qui est le coupable ? Pourquoi ? où sont passés les jambons ?
Soyez perspicaces, résolvez les énigmes, déjouez les tours des fachilières, rencontrez les personnages historiques de Najac, et menez à bien votre enquête.
JOURNÉES EUROPÉENNES DU PATRIMOINE
Les 19 et 20 septembre 2020
Entrée gratuite pour tous samedi 19 septembre
Tarif réduit à 2.5€ (au lieu de 4€) dimanche 20 septembre
De 10h à 18h.
HISTORY
The Governor’s House
is in the heart of the village of Najac, in the district called the Bourget, which lies below the fortified royal castle. During the Middle Ages, Najac was one of the most important cities of the province of Rouergue. The role of the Governor’s House, which was built in the 13th century, was to protect the castle. It stood guard over the road into Najac that went from Le Bourget and the plateau of Barry.
The original building was a square-shaped tower which was expanded and added to during the XIVth and XVth centuries. At the beginning of the XVth century, the Bourguet district was the property of Brenguier Valette, a knight and Lord of Cuzoul, which could explain how the house became known as “The Governor’s House”. It then became the home of wealthy merchants and at the end of the XVth century was owned by Galiot of Genouillac, grand master of François 1st’s artillery and governor of the fortress of Najac.
WHAT IS A CIAP ?
CIAP
CIAP stands for ‘Centre of Interpretation of Architecture and Heritage’ and is a national certification scheme founded by France’s Ministry of Culture. The Governor’s House in Najac is a CIAP dedicated to the Bastide Towns of Rouergue.
The mission of a CIAP is to highlight architectural resources and local heritage, understand the development of a territory and to encourage cultural access. One of its other functions is to make local people aware of architectural evolution as it affects their town and the surrounding countryside and to help them become more involved in local heritage projects. For local councils a CIAP also constitutes a special place to meet and discuss both new and future building projects.
The CIAP offers a range of training programs for professionals (guides, lecturers, tourism professionals and anyone involved in cultural activities).
To find out more about CIAP in France
ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY
The architectural history of the Governor’s House began in the 13th century and the building integrates several additions from the 15th and 18th centuries. Thus, when you arrive at the House from the street that leads to the castle, you go back in time from the 21st to the 13th century. The architect elected to keep the appearance of the building stark and simple, in keeping with the Middle Ages, boasting considerable size and no modern additions.
The simple stone walls highlight the House’s heritage and allow us to understand the way in which it was built. The setting has both the aim of telling the story of the towns of the Middle Ages, and of the building itself. The furniture is transportable, as it was in Middle Ages, when the great lords travelled from place to place with their belongings.
The audio and visual guides recount stories from the past and allow you to immerse yourself in the history of the Rouergue.
THE BASTIDE TOWNS OF THE ROUERGUE IN THE MIDDLE AGES
Keywords
Salvetat = describes a town built around its church
Bastide = describes a town built around its marketplace or administrative centre
Najac
Defended by a powerful fortress that surveyed and controlled the Aveyron valley, the bastide of Najac was one of the main towns of the Rouergue during medieval time.
Villefranche de Rouergue
A bastide founded in 1252, this sprawling town was a flourishing economic centre in the Middle Ages. Its remarkable architecture is a testement to its power within the Rouergue province.
La Bastide-l'Evêque
Created in 1280 by Raymond of Calmont, Bishop of Rodez, La Bastide L’Eveque was chosen for its proximity to silver mines exploited since Roman times.
Sauveterre-de-Rouergue
Established by royal administration in the 13th century on a plateau of the Segala, the bastide of Sauveterre is geometrically organised around a beautiful square full of arched buildings.
Rieupeyroux
The sauveté of Rieupeyroux was founded by the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Martial of Limoges, shortly after the year one thousand. The sauveté of Rieupeyroux granted a sens of spiritual security that was essential to the developpement of agricultural activities and trade.
Villeneuve-d'Aveyron
This medieval town, first a salvetat then a bastide, is the gateway to the limestone plateau of the Causse. Villeneuve dates back to the 13th century and is a pilgrim’s halt on the “St James Way” (Camino de Santiago).
POUR ALLER PLUS LOIN
Les Bastides du Rouergue s’invitent sur ARTE !
Un documentaire intitulé Les bastides du Rouergue, à l’avant-garde du Moyen Age a été tourné en septembre 2019 et diffusé dans l’émission Invitation Au Voyage sur ARTE en juin 2020.
Vincent Basso Bondini, le réalisateur nous invite à découvrir les bastides de Villefranche-de-Rouergue et La Bastide-l’Evêque, la sauveté bénédictine et la bastide de Villeneuve-d’Aveyron ainsi que le bourg castral de Najac… De très belles images servent ce documentaire sobre et essentiel qui explore l’histoire et le patrimoine architectural du Pays d’art et d’histoire, souligne le caractère singulier des bastides, le phénomène urbain le plus exceptionnel et novateur qu’ait connu l’occident médiéval !
Emission Invitation Au Voyage diffusée sur ARTE en juin 2020
calendrier
Exposition temporaire Caselles, gariotes et autre petit patrimoine des champs de juin à octobre
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