Places to see in ( Angers - France ) Collegiale Saint Martin
Places to see in ( Angers - France ) Collegiale Saint Martin
The Saint-Martin church, located in the historic center of Angers , is one of the best preserved Carolingian monuments in France and a testimony of fifteen centuries of architectural evolution. His choir is a very fine example of the Gothic Angevin style .
Archaeological excavations conducted in xx th century by Canon Pinier and GH Forsyth and more recently by county archaeologists have uncovered the foundations of the first churches, dated respectively V th , VI th , VII th centuries. The first building, probably built to accommodate the burial of a bishop of the city, was indeed quickly enlarged in the following centuries.
The third church is more ambitious than the previous ones. Lying several meters, it has a cruciform plan thanks to its overflowing transept, each arm extended by an apse. Archaeologists attribute the reconstruction at the Wolf bishop , who died in the last third of the vii th century
The church was again rebuilt in the x th century, with the particularity of having four large arches alternating tufa stone and brick to frame the crossing. In the following century, it was the Count of Anjou Foulques Nerra who marked the building with its imprint. With his wife Hildegard, they instituted at Saint-Martin 13 canons to serve, making the church a collegiate. In addition, the count commissioned works, especially at the cross of the transept where was installed a dome, always visible.
By the middle of the xii th century Carolingian choir of college is transformed in the Gothic style and expanded in a second campaign work. A second span and an apse have lengthened the building in a Gothic style called Angevin or Plantagenet, which is characterized by the convex appearance of its vaults.
The old chapel of the Middle Ages was then enlarged at the beginning of the xiii th century. Called Chapel of Angels because of its remarkable decor, its transformation marked the end of the Gothic reconstruction of the building. In the chapel, remains of a rich original painted decoration remain. At the beginning of the last century, the Massacre des Innocents and the Adoration of the Magi were still read ; unfortunately only the Virgin and the Child Jesus are still discerning. The chapel also has a rich collection of capitals well highlighted by current lighting.
Following the French Revolution, the chapter of canons was suppressed. After several months of abandonment, the church served as warehouse at the town hall for confiscated books, before being sold to individuals. The building was used as a store of firewood and warehouse for the tobacco industry. This change of use was accompanied by a rapid deterioration of the church, who lives disappear xix th century the roof of the nave, the upper floor of the tower, the remains of the cloister and part of the facade. Buildings were then built in front of the building and in the former nave.
( Angers - France ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Angers . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Angers - France
Join us for more :