Saint-Sever has a rich history and a unique heritage. Monuments from different eras blend together to offer a unique landscape making the town "The historic city of the Landes".
A bit of history
The site of Saint-Sever has been occupied for several thousand years, traces of human presence having been found thanks to archaeological excavations.
Saint-Sever, a thousand-year-old town in Gascony, was created in the Middle Ages, a period during which it developed into a "Caput Vasconiae", literally "Head of Gascony".
Then the crises of succession and numerous wars had a strong impact on Saint-Sever, which recovered with difficulty from these conflicts but rebuilt itself thanks to eminent families, who also played a role in the French Revolution.
The heritage...
Saint-Sever is home to six historical monuments as well as a majestic 11th century abbey church, which has been registered with UNESCO since 1998 as a part of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route.
Not to mention the cloister of the Jacobin convent and the cloister of the 17th century Benedictine abbey, which are the particularity of the city.
The church of the Benedictine abbey is a jewel of Romanesque art, while the Jacobins convent, dating from 1280, is a must-see element of Saint-Sever and houses the Museum .
The originality of the abbey church lies in its plan with seven staggered apses. It is in this abbey that the "Beatus" of Saint-Sever was illuminated, a precious 11th century manuscript relating the Apocalypse (last book of the Bible). A facsimile in the treasure room and several rooms dedicated to the Beatus in the brand new museum of art and history of Cap de Gascogne (film, digital book...) allow to discover this manuscript.
Saint-Sever is a medieval city, but its heritage includes mansions from the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries with a strong Bordeaux influence.
In Saint-Sever, don't miss the Sentex house, a private collector's house, paved with mosaics from the Roman era.
Without forgetting the Henri Capdeville bullring where bullfighting traditions are perpetuated during the Saint-Jean festivities and throughout the year.
Town hall of Saint-Sever
BP 90027
40501 Saint-Sever cedex
Tel : 05 58 76 00 02
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