Église des Grands-Carmes, Gothic church in 2nd arrondissement, Marseille, France
The Église des Grands-Carmes is a church located on a hill in the 2nd arrondissement of Marseille with a single-nave design. The interior space is organized with ten side chapels that hold religious statues and decorative elements throughout the building.
Carmelite monks established their first monastery outside the city walls in 1238. The community relocated within Marseille in 1285 and built this church as their new spiritual center.
The main altar displays gilded wood carvings created in 1733 by Antoine Duparc as a focal point of the interior. A large painting by Michel Serre adorns this space and tells the story of Sabbatine indulgence, a religious concept visitors can still observe today.
The building is easily accessible and located near several metro stations within walking distance. It maintains regular opening times for visitors and can be reached without difficulty from central Marseille.
The bell tower was transformed from a square shape to an octagonal form after the corners of the original structure deteriorated over time. This unusual architectural adjustment is visible today and shows how the building adapted to wear and damage.
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