Saint-Pierre de Montmartre, Romanesque church in Montmartre, France
Saint-Pierre de Montmartre is a Romanesque church in Paris featuring a distinctive pentagonal choir. Its interior displays elaborate capitals decorated with allegorical figures adorning the columns.
Construction began in 1133 under King Louis VI as part of the Montmartre Abbey complex. The builders reused materials from an earlier Merovingian basilica that had been dedicated to Saint Denis.
The church was divided for centuries, with Benedictine nuns using the eastern section while the western area served the local congregation. This separation still shapes how visitors experience the interior spaces.
The church is generally open to visitors and offers space for quiet contemplation. It is best to check opening hours in advance, as they may vary seasonally.
The building incorporates four original marble columns from an ancient Roman temple, connecting directly to the site's religious past. These ancient pillars show how Christian builders wove earlier structures into their own creations.
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