Church of Saint-Maclou, Gothic church in Rouen, France.
The Church of Saint-Maclou is a Gothic house of worship in Rouen featuring an ornately carved western facade with five separate sections and three decorated entrance doors. The bell tower rises roughly 83 meters (272 feet) above the ground, commanding the surroundings with its vertical presence.
Construction began in 1437 and continued until 1517, keeping multiple generations of craftspeople at work over the decades. The tower was later designed by architect Jacques-Eugène Barthélémy, who gave the structure its distinctive form.
The church displays religious artworks from the 15th century at its entrances, including a Tree of Jesse and a Crucifixion scene. These works tell biblical stories for visitors as they approach the doors.
Visitors should enter from the western side of the building where the main entrances showcase the ornate carvings. The interior is open during daylight hours, and natural light fills the space through old stained glass windows, creating a calm environment for exploration.
The interior columns lack traditional capitals and flow directly into the vaulting ribs, giving the space a streamlined Gothic look. This was a bold architectural choice at the time of construction, directing all focus upward toward height and light.
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