The Knights Templar Fabulous Chapel in Cressac
A lot has been said and written about the Knights Templars. Let us visit their fabulous chapel in Charente, France, a true testimony of the Order’s life.
On the road of Santiago de Compostella, the Knights Templar founded a commandery with a frescoed chapel between 1150 and 1160. The place was chosen by the monks-soldiers because a well was located here with the particularity of never getting dry.
When the Knights Templar disappeared in 1312, the premises were given to other Orders that abandoned the site, with the exception of the fabulous chapel decorated with fascinating frescoes. Its plan is rectangular with thick walls and buttresses. On the South walls can be seen, deep in the stone, a curious penitent’s hand.
The inside of the chapel is absolutely remarkable, the North, East and West walls are covered with frescoes depicting the life of the Knights Templar, their travel to the Holy Land and their combats. The frescoes were applied using a local red clay and yoke mixture, the color of which lasted in time. They all date back to the XIIth century and once covered all the walls. Above the entrance door, an unusual ship with a square sail can be observed. Military scenes are mainly represented like this knight standing with his sword in his hand, getting ready to fight a gryphon. Another scene shows the camp of the Crusaders, knights facing the Saracens that can be recognized by their turbans, scimitars and beautiful tanned complexion.
This sober commanderie, isolated amidst the hillside, is typical of the Knights Templar architecture in the region of Angoulême. The flat apse creates a mysterious atmosphere inside the chapel, everything bathing in a pale reddish-gold light. The chapel of the Knights Templar in Cressac, France, was listed in 1914, restored in 1948 and in recent years.
Knights Templar Chapel in Cressac, frescoes.
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The Knights Templar Chapel in Cressac.
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Knights Templar Chapel in Cressac, frescoes.
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The square sailed ship of the Knights Templar, frescoes in Cressac chapel.
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Knights templar Chapel in Cressac, frescoes.
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Frescoes in Cressac Knights Templar Chapel.
http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/10/cressac1_1.jpg
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20 Comments
Lostash, posted this comment on Aug 10th, 2009
Cool building Francois! Those walls could (and do!) tell a few stories!
Rana Sinha, posted this comment on Aug 10th, 2009
Lovely article. Thanks. Just saw a documentary about them on TV.
deep blue, posted this comment on Aug 10th, 2009
Very interesting.
Hasham, posted this comment on Aug 10th, 2009
Nice article and nice photos. Thanks Francois.
Ruby Hawk, posted this comment on Aug 10th, 2009
Very interesting, I came back and was able to enter a comment after all. thanks for the article.
S.Rubeck, posted this comment on Aug 10th, 2009
Beautiful photographs, nice article.
Lauren Axelrod, posted this comment on Aug 10th, 2009
Wow, this is amazing. The Knights Templar have always fascinated me.
Patrick Bernauw, posted this comment on Aug 11th, 2009
Interesting article on a fascinating subject!
MJ Northumbria, posted this comment on Aug 16th, 2009
A fascinating place, brilliantly analysed. Well done, Francois!
PhoenixRox, posted this comment on Aug 16th, 2009
Francois mon frere..out done yourself again 
I have always loved to read about The Knights Templar and you gave me that pleasure.Merci!!
sivagotety, posted this comment on Aug 28th, 2009
Very informative,ty for sharing with us.
masteraliak47, posted this comment on Aug 29th, 2009
Informative work my friend 
!
Avaxier, posted this comment on Aug 31st, 2009
I’ve heard a lot about Knight of Templar. So, this is how their Chapel looks like. Amazing!
Thank you so much for sharing this great stuff!
Sterling Christianson, posted this comment on Sep 13th, 2009
Remarkable stone architecture and a beautiful display of the art from the Knights Of Templar. I have become a lot more interested in this era of time and these Knights. I’m only more versed in a few centuries old history and will research this amazing time period you mention. I am compelled to read this history as it seems to be an educational experience as well as relative to a few friends we share. Thanks again Francois. You articulate these pieces so masterfully crafted, you are a True Historian!
Francois Hagnere, posted this comment on Oct 30th, 2009
Thank you for your kind comments.
Francois Hagnere, posted this comment on Feb 6th, 2010
Please also check out my article on the Knights Templar Castle in Tomar, Portugal.
D. Evers, posted this comment on Jun 14th, 2010
Dear Francois,
I found your article while searching for high resolution files of the Fresco showing the knights templar, to use in an exhibition catalogue in Germany. Did you take the pictures on this website? If so, would you be willing to provide our museum with a high resolution file of the one with the Fresco?
Regards,
D. Evers
Francois Hagnere, posted this comment on Jun 14th, 2010
Hello D,
These photos come from wikipedia. I did not take them. If you need any further information, I’ll be glad to answer. Thanks for your interest. Have you read my other articles on the Knights Templar on triond?
Best regards,
François
Bill M. Tracer, posted this comment on Jun 21st, 2010
Cool article. Thank you for sharing the information, and finding the pictures to go with it.
chris73, posted this comment on Aug 10th, 2009
I need my horse!