Saint-Junien
| Saint-Junien | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Saint-Junien | |
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Location within Limousin region  Saint-Junien | |
| Coordinates: 45°53′17″N 0°54′07″E / 45.8881°N 0.9019°ECoordinates: 45°53′17″N 0°54′07″E / 45.8881°N 0.9019°E | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Limousin |
| Department | Haute-Vienne |
| Arrondissement | Rochechouart |
| Canton | Saint-Junien-Est, Saint-Junien-Ouest |
| Intercommunality | Vienne Glane |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2008–2014) | Pierre Allard |
| Area | |
| • Land1 | 56.82 km2 (21.94 sq mi) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Population2 | 11,960 |
| • Population2 Density | 210/km2 (550/sq mi) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 87154 / 87200 |
| Elevation | 157–317 m (515–1,040 ft) |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. | |
Saint-Junien (Occitan: Sent Junian) is a commune in the Haute-Vienne department in the Limousin region in west-central France. Its sister city is Charleroi, Belgium.
History
The history of Saint-Junien began in AD 500, when an ascetic of Hungarian origin, Saint Amand, chose to live on the north bank of the Vienne River at a place called Comodoliac.
Ruricius, bishop of Limoges, offered him a humble cell. At this time, Junian (Junien), originally from the north of France and son of a Count of Cambrai, left his family at the age of 15 and became a disciple of Saint Amand. It is said that Junian knocked on the door of Amand, who did not answer. Junian had to sleep outside, and the snow miraculously spared him during the night. He then lived as a hermit and, after the passing of his master, he lived where the collegiate church stands nowadays.
In 593, Gregory of Tours was impressed by the importance of the pilgrimage to the saint's tomb. An urban area was quickly created around the abbey built in honor of the saint. However, this monastery was destroyed by the Vikings in 866. By the end of the 13th century, high walls were built around the city.
Demographics
Inhabitants are known as Saint-Juniauds.
See also
References
External links
- Official website (French)
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saint-Junien. |
