Collégiale Saint-Lazare d'Avallon, Romanesque church in Avallon, France
Collégiale Saint-Lazare is a Romanesque church in Avallon characterized by two surviving portals from its original 12th-century Burgundian facade. The interior features thick stone walls and rounded arches, with the choir positioned roughly 2.5 meters below the entrance level, creating a dramatic change in elevation as you move through the spaces.
The church received a relic of Saint Lazarus from Henry the Great, Duke of Burgundy, around the year 1000. It was formally renamed in 1146 and adopted its current status as a collegiate church.
The church served as an important pilgrimage stop for travelers heading to Santiago de Compostela, who came to pay respects to the Saint Lazarus relic housed within. The interior spaces still reflect this long tradition and its connection to a broader European spiritual network.
You enter through the portal at ground level, but the interior features several changes in elevation that require careful navigation. Wearing comfortable shoes is advisable, as you will move between different height levels throughout the building.
The church's facade stands at an angle rather than perpendicular to the nave axis, creating an irregular architectural layout that departs from standard church design principles. This skewed orientation is rarely noticed at first glance but becomes apparent when you pay attention to the building's geometry.
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