The Sainte-Croix church of Oloron-Sainte-Marie was built from 1080, at the same time as the city of Sainte-Croix was established. Served by canons of the Augustinian order, the church was a parish until the 14th century. It was transformed for a time into a Protestant temple from 1569 to 1621.
Architecturally, the plan is made up of a nave and two side aisles ending in a choir extended by a cul-de-four apse. The north portal is from the Romanesque period, and is decorated with carved capitals. On the other hand, the side portal built in the 19th century was removed in the 20th century to restore the church to its original appearance.
One of the distinctive features of the church is its ribbed dome of Byzantine and Mozarabic inspiration which covers the crossing of the transept. Inside, barrel or semi-barrel vaults are also typical of Romanesque art, like the many capitals with plant motifs or evoking biblical themes.
In the 19th century, large frescoes representing the 'Passion of Christ' and the 'Last Judgment' were painted, particularly in the choir. There is also a pulpit and stalls from the beginning of the 18th century as well as the altar and its altarpiece in the Spanish Baroque style, dating from the same period (1708).
References:Kakesbeck is one of the largest medieval fortifications in Münsterland and the oldest castle in Lüdinghausen. The imposingly grown complex originated in 1120 as a motte, a small hilltop tower castle. After numerous changes of ownership, the castle was extended onto two islands, but it was not until the 14th century that it underwent significant alterations and extensions under the von Oer family. The estate experienced its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when it covered an area of almost one square kilometre and consisted of five further outer castles in addition to the core castle, which were secured by ramparts and moats.
The well-maintained condition of the castle today is thanks to the late Wilfried Grewing, the former lord of the castle. The foundation named after him has been particularly committed to preserving the property since 2020.