Église Saint-Vincent, Catholic church in Ciboure, France.
Église Saint-Vincent is a Baroque church of light tan stone blocks, completed in 1572 according to the inscription at its entrance. Its main facade has a deeply recessed arched doorway framed by pilasters and a curved broken pediment holding a small statue, with an octagonal tower above. Inside, two tiers of dark wooden galleries with vertical balusters run along both sides of the nave, and an organ with silver pipes stands in a wooden case above the altar.
Construction began in 1551 after residents purchased the land to establish their independence from a neighboring settlement. The building arose during a period of religious change and reaction to church reforms across Europe.
The two tiers of dark wooden galleries along both sides of the nave were added in the 17th century, when the church was enlarged and the bell tower built. In Basque churches of Labourd these galleries were reserved for men only, while the rest of the congregation sat below. The main altarpiece, with its altar and tabernacle, is listed in the Palissy database.
The church stands in the town centre, beside the birthplace of composer Maurice Ravel, and is a listed historical monument. Visitors enter through the courtyard; the wooden galleries inside are reached by stairs and are not step-free. Check service times before going if you want to move around the nave freely.
The 1694 date carved on the exterior facade along rue Pocalette marks the enlargement that gave the church its present length of 47 metres; the two side chapels added then, Saint-Esteben and Larralde, each measure 8 by 2.80 metres. Look for the inscription at the entrance recording the completion of the first building phase in 1572.
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