Chapel of St. Aurelianus, Limoges

The chapel was originally built in 1471 to host the relics of Saint Aurelianus[1] that were located in the ruined church of St. Cessateur (down the Rue des Pénitents-Rouges). In the 17th century, the choir was extended and decorated in the Baroque style. During the French Revolution, the building was sold as a National Good to a member of the Confrérie de Saint Aurélien (Brotherhood of Saint Aurelianus), a brotherhood of butchers.[1] The brotherhood still owns the chapel today. The chapel remains an important worship place for the residents of La Boucherie neighbourhood.

The chapel was listed as a Historic Monument in 1943.[2] In March 2019, the fourteen Stations of the Cross were stolen from the chapel.[3]

The chapel has an onion dome made of chestnut tree shingles.[1]

In spite of its small size, the chapel of St. Aurelianus has rich furniture, among which:

• A 15th-century statue of Saint Catherine;
• A 15th-century group of statues representing Saint Anne and the Virgin Mary with Child Jesus eating what a local tradition says is a kidney.
• A baroque altarpiece whose centre features a painting of the Transfiguration of Jesus. The altarpiece hosts the shrine of Saint Aurelianus.