Saint-Hilaire Church

Melle, France

The church of Saint-Hilaire was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the World Heritage Sites of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France. The Romanesque church was built in the 12th century to the site of older wooden building.  

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Details

Founded: 12th century
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Merry Michael (13 months ago)
Beautiful Romanesque church inside and out. The overhanging narthex gives an impressive image of the whole. Beautiful stained glass windows but the contemporary heart really spoils the whole thing, too bad.
Steph Grollier (2 years ago)
Top.
David Cameron (5 years ago)
Most unusual layout for a church, lower alter than entrance. Beautiful town. Very pretty architecture. Fascinating history.
francette livreau (6 years ago)
Reel
Peter Wilson (6 years ago)
A beautiful and historic old church set on the slope of a valley with a modern altar setting which is unusual. The landscape setting with a small river running through it is in a contemporary French style. There are one or two nice houses and gardens above the church that are good to look at. Cross the road below the church and walk back up to Melle through elegant old streets.
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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.

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