Chapelle Saint-Sauveur de Tende, Medieval chapel in the heights of Tende, France.
Chapelle Saint-Sauveur de Tende is a small stone chapel located in the hills above Tende. It sits at 1111 meters elevation and displays Romanesque architectural features with solid walls and a simple structure.
The chapel was built in the 13th century next to an early castle commissioned by the first Count of Tende. It was created for his Orthodox Christian wife, which explains its origins in the region.
The interior wall paintings come from the early 14th century and represent some of the oldest artistic works in the valley. These religious scenes are visible to visitors who enter the small chapel today.
Reaching the chapel requires a 45-minute walk from the cemetery with about 250 meters of elevation gain. The final sections of the path are steep and demand sturdy shoes and reasonable fitness.
A local mason named Arcisto created an altar for the chapel, which was later repurposed as a directional table. This conversion did not please the craftsman who made it.
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