St. Faith's Church

Sélestat, France

The Church of Saint Faith of Sélestat is a major Romanesque architecture landmark in Sélestat along the Route Romane d'Alsace in the East of France. The church was built over a very short time span (only ten years, from 1170 to 1180) and it appears strikingly homogenous in style and proportions. Some parts have been completed and others modified in a Romanesque Revival style by the architect Charles Winckler between 1889 and 1893. During that restoration campaign, a crypt dating back to around 1085 was discovered and made accessible as well. Like many major buildings in Alsace the church is made of pink Vosges mountains sandstone.

Among the churches many features, the ornate capitals crowning the columns inside and pillars of the windows outside belong to the finest. Saint Faith's two pipe organs (the tribune organ of 1892 and the choir organ of 1880) have been repaired several times since their installation, they do however still show beautifully crafted cases.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 1170-1180
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

B.D (12 months ago)
Built by the Benedictine monks ?of the Sainte-Foy abbey in Conques, it is a major building of Romanesque architecture in the heart of the town of Sélestat. Its construction in pink sandstone which gives it its characteristic color began in 1170 and was completed in 1180. The baroque style preaching pulpit contrasts sharply with the Romanesque style of the church. This pulpit is one of the vestiges of the modifications made during the arrival of the Jesuits in the 17th century.
Manuel Garcia (2 years ago)
Beautiful building
Aparna Krishnakumar (2 years ago)
Beautifully built romanesque church in the heart of selestat.
Lexie Rem (6 years ago)
You have to visit the Church of St. Foy in Selestat, it's really beautiful.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Temple of Edfu

The Temple of Edfu is one of the best preserved ancient shrines in Egypt. It was built in the Ptolemaic Kingdom between 237 and 57 BC.

Edfu was one of several temples built during the Ptolemaic Kingdom, including the Dendera Temple complex, Esna, the Temple of Kom Ombo, and Philae. Its size reflects the relative prosperity of the time. The present temple initially consisted of a pillared hall, two transverse halls, and a barque sanctuary surrounded by chapels. The building was started during the reign of Ptolemy III Euergetes and completed in 57 BC under Ptolemy XII Auletes. It was built on the site of an earlier, smaller temple also dedicated to Horus, although the previous structure was oriented east–west rather than north–south as in the present site.