Church of St. Margaret, Catholic church in 11th arrondissement of Paris, France
The Church of St. Margaret is a Catholic place of worship featuring a long nave supported by rounded arches with barrel vaults and oculi windows that fill the interior with light. The structure combines classical and baroque architectural elements into a unified composition.
The church was founded in 1625 by Antoine Fayet and construction progressed through several stages until completion in 1764. An adjacent cemetery later became the burial place for approximately 300 people executed at Place de la Bastille during the French Revolution.
The Chapel of Souls in Purgatory features trompe-l'oeil murals painted by Paolo Antonio Brunetti and Gabriel Briard that depict religious doctrine. These visual works show how spiritual concepts were communicated to visitors through art.
The church is readily accessible and allows visitors to explore the interior architecture and artistic decorations at a comfortable pace. The adjacent cemetery is also open to visitors and offers a quiet space for reflection and historical appreciation.
During the French Revolution in 1790, twenty-six of the thirty clergy members took an oath to the Constitutional government, allowing the church to remain open. This pragmatic decision helped preserve the building from closure during a time of religious upheaval.
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