Clocher Saint-Jean de Breil-sur-Roya, Romanesque bell tower in Breil-sur-Roya, France
The Clocher Saint-Jean de Breil-sur-Roya is a Romanesque bell tower with a square base of about 3 meters on each side. It rises approximately 10 meters high and features two round-arched windows as its distinctive elements.
The bell tower was built in the early 12th century and is the sole surviving element of a former Benedictine priory. Imperial forces destroyed the priory in 1707, but the tower endured through the centuries.
The square columns with simple capitals show the Romanesque style that was common in the Maritime Alps. Visitors can observe these details from outside and notice the craftsmanship of medieval stonemasons.
The tower stands along Route de Burdanche and can be viewed from the outside. Interior access is not permitted for visitors, but the architectural details are visible from the street.
This structure retains original Romanesque tiles embedded in its masonry that have scarcely weathered. These original materials make it a rare example of early medieval building techniques in this region.
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