Notre-Dame-des-Ardilliers Church, Saumur, France

Located on the banks of the Loire, the former royal chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Ardilliers was built in the middle of the 16th century before undergoing major transformations in the 17th century, when it became one of the most important pilgrimage sanctuaries in the country.

With its Italian-inspired architecture, it seduces with its impressive dome nearly thirty meters high. Today, this religious building initiated by Cardinal Richelieu, King Louis XIII and Queen Marie de Médicis, also has inside a statue of the miraculous Virgin Mary still venerated, an elegant Mannerist high altar or a Presentation. at the Temple of Philippe de Champaigne. Next to him stood the House of the Oratorians.

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Peer Kristijan (3 years ago)
It is a very fine church. It has columns of the highest order, ceramic flooring, painted windows, high ceilings, a rotunda with a decorated dome, vaults, and carved lattices, walls, window frames, painting frames, and statues. It is very elegant with it's excellent proportions.

Marly (3 years ago)
Beautiful!

Yori Schell (6 years ago)
This is a must see! Especially the inside of the church is very impressive!

Helen Hammond (6 years ago)
Fabulous

A Schofield (6 years ago)
Beautiful old church next to chateau

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The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Notre-Dame-des-Ardilliers Church

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