Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Major d'Arles, Romanesque church near Roman Arena in Arles, France.
Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Major d'Arles is a Romanesque church standing on Place de la Major, distinguished by its thick stone walls and rounded arches typical of the period. The bell tower, added in 1579, rises prominently above the square and dominates the area's architecture.
The church was consecrated in 452 by Archbishop Ravennius on a site that once held a Roman temple. It received its current Romanesque form in the mid-12th century when it was reconstructed between 1150 and 1160.
The church serves as the seat of the Brotherhood of the Guardians of Saint George, a group that has shaped the religious and social life of the city for centuries. Walking through the square, you can see how it remains central to the community's traditions and celebrations.
The site is located on Place de la Major in central Arles and is easily accessible on foot. The exterior facade can be viewed at any time, though the interior is currently closed to visitors.
The bell tower received a statue of the Virgin and Child as its crowning element in 1867 and has housed a clock mechanism since 1869. These additions transformed the tower into both a functional landmark and a devotional symbol for the city.
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