Oloron Cathedral

Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France

Oloron Cathedral, now St. Mary's Church, is a Roman Catholic church and former cathedral located in the town of Oloron-Sainte-Marie. It is in the Romanesque and Gothic architectural traditions.

Construction was started in the 12th century by Gaston IV, Viscount of Béarn. It was the seat of the Bishopric of Oloron, suppressed by the Concordat of 1801. Restored in 1850, listed in 1939, the cathedral is inscribed in 1998 on the list of humanity UNESCO World Heritage under the Pilgrimage Routes to Santiago de Compostela.

Architecturally, the massive bell tower and the defensive Romanesque portal are testimonies of the original building (twelfth). The carved decoration of the said portal is particularly remarkable: the theme evokes Christ's cross downhill. Always at the architectural level, the Gothic sanctuary with ambulatory is another masterpiece of the site.

Inside, in terms of furniture and decorations, a pulpit of the seventeenth century, the organ and its buffet seventeenth and eighteenth, nineteenth stained glass are observed. As for the treasure, it is housed in two chapels. Are presented including silverware, representations of St. Grat, the protector of St. Mary, a crib eighteenth, a collection of vestments and reliquary busts.

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Details

Founded: 12th century
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Helen Robinson (3 years ago)
We didnt go in as we had the dog but loved the ornate carvings around the door representing the book of Revelations
Muninn Sees (3 years ago)
The people who built this church were replaced.
T. Rick (4 years ago)
stay strong people!, the burglary events of today will be history soon. carry on for all of us humanity, around the werld, that believes in compassion, empathy, forgiveness and tolerance for all! our prayers rise above.
Nuno Castanheira (4 years ago)
I had the opportunity to hear the huge piano. It's incredible!
Jeroen Nasnl (4 years ago)
Underrated romanic masterpiece with a very intimate atmosphere and beautiful details.
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