Église de la Madeleine de Verneuil-sur-Avre, Gothic church in Verneuil d'Avre et d'Iton, France.
The Église de la Madeleine is a church building with a striking limestone tower approximately 56 meters tall, adorned with over thirty religious statues. The structure displays a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic stylistic features with multiple aisles and richly carved stonework.
Construction of the church began in the 12th century, while its distinctive tower was built between 1465 and 1526 with financial support from local merchants. This extended building period shows how the community invested in its religious structure across generations.
The church displays stained glass windows and sculptures from the 15th and 16th centuries, donated by wealthy residents and local craft guilds. These works reflect the prosperity that the local community enjoyed at that time.
The building is open for religious services, and guided tours are available year-round for groups of five or more people. Visitors should check ahead about tour availability since access may vary depending on scheduled services.
The architecture of the Madeleine church, particularly the design features of its tower, later influenced the construction of the Tribune Tower in Chicago. This transatlantic connection shows how European religious structures shaped modern North American architecture of the 20th century.
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