Aître Saint-Maclou
From the Latin "atrium," or central courtyard of a house, which designated a cemetery in the Middle Ages, this is one of the last medieval necropolises in Europe to be found in a city centre. Its origins date back to the Great Plague of 1348, which killed three-quarters of the neighbourhood's inhabitants. The buildings, constructed at the beginning of the 16th century are decorated with death motifs.
There has been a church on this site since the 4th century. Construction on the current building began in the 12th century. It suffered many fires, was struck by lightning four times (1284, 1625, 1642, 1822), damaged in a hurricane (1683), damaged in the French Wars of Religion (late 16th C), bombed by the British Royal Air Force (April 1944), bombed by the U.S. Army Air Force (June 1944), and damaged by a violent wind storm in 1999.
We also saw the Église Saint-Maclou, another example of the "Flamboyant" style of Gothic architecture, and the Saint-Ouen Abbey, which seems to be falling into disrepair. There's a sign on it that says to watch for falling stones, and there's plenty of vegetation growing from its spires, eroding the beautiful stone work.
I told Dave I was going to France this morning while I drank my cup of tea. My travel experience was much simpler than yours!
ReplyDeleteIs it getting too costly to maintain those beautiful buildings? Is that why some may be falling into ruin?
Are you/Fred fluent in French?
I hope to find out about that abbey and plans to fix it. It must be a hugely expensive undertaking. The attached city hall was originally the monks' residences, and it looks great, so I hope the city plans to do the abbey too.
DeleteNot really fluent any more, but passable. We're certainly having no trouble understanding, but have to really think hard when we speak -- usually it comes out in half Spanish. ;)
Oh the cathedral is amazing and I love the stained glass!
ReplyDelete