Collégiale Saint-Ours de Loches, Romanesque church in Loire Valley, France
The Collégiale Saint-Ours is a medieval church in Loches that features two distinctive octagonal pyramid towers called dubes rising above its exterior. The building shows stone carvings and decorative details that reflect its age and past reconstructions.
Construction of the church began in the 11th century and continued through the 12th century as a Romanesque structure. Major renovation work in the 1840s updated much of the interior, reshaping elements that had deteriorated over the centuries.
The church served as a spiritual center for the town's inhabitants across many centuries. Its presence shaped how people gathered and observed religious traditions in this part of the Loire Valley.
The church is located centrally in Loches and can be accessed throughout the day for visits. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the interior has multiple levels and steps to navigate.
The main doorway dates to around 1150 and displays hand-carved stone sculptures showing figures and creatures from the medieval world. These carvings offer a glimpse into what artists of that era chose to depict in their work.
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