Église de Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, Manche, Parish church in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, France
The Église de Sainte-Marie-du-Mont is a parish church in Normandy that combines three architectural styles: a Romanesque nave, a Gothic transept, and a Renaissance dome topping the bell tower. The building displays how construction methods and tastes evolved across different periods.
Construction began in the 11th century, with side chapels added in the 12th century and the choir completed in the 14th century. This gradual building reflected how communities expanded their churches across generations.
Inside the church, carved capitals show animals, plants, and mythological creatures, including chimeras wearing Phrygian caps from a 12th-century workshop. These details reveal what the local artisans valued and understood about the world around them.
The church sits in the center of the village and is easy to reach on foot. Access can vary with the season, so it is worth checking beforehand to confirm the church is open when you plan to visit.
The bell tower wall bears marks from gunfire during 1944, remnants of war that remain visible today. Bullet holes are even preserved in the confessional, serving as a physical record of that violent time.
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