St. Faith's Church

Sélestat, France

The Church of Saint Faith of Sélestat is a major Romanesque architecture landmark in Sélestat along the Route Romane d'Alsace in the East of France. The church was built over a very short time span (only ten years, from 1170 to 1180) and it appears strikingly homogenous in style and proportions. Some parts have been completed and others modified in a Romanesque Revival style by the architect Charles Winckler between 1889 and 1893. During that restoration campaign, a crypt dating back to around 1085 was discovered and made accessible as well. Like many major buildings in Alsace the church is made of pink Vosges mountains sandstone.

Among the churches many features, the ornate capitals crowning the columns inside and pillars of the windows outside belong to the finest. Saint Faith's two pipe organs (the tribune organ of 1892 and the choir organ of 1880) have been repaired several times since their installation, they do however still show beautifully crafted cases.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 1170-1180
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

B.D (10 months ago)
Built by the Benedictine monks ?of the Sainte-Foy abbey in Conques, it is a major building of Romanesque architecture in the heart of the town of Sélestat. Its construction in pink sandstone which gives it its characteristic color began in 1170 and was completed in 1180. The baroque style preaching pulpit contrasts sharply with the Romanesque style of the church. This pulpit is one of the vestiges of the modifications made during the arrival of the Jesuits in the 17th century.
Manuel Garcia (17 months ago)
Beautiful building
Aparna Krishnakumar (18 months ago)
Beautifully built romanesque church in the heart of selestat.
Lexie Rem (5 years ago)
You have to visit the Church of St. Foy in Selestat, it's really beautiful.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Celje Castle

Celje Castle was once the largest fortification on Slovenian territory. The first fortified building on the site (a Romanesque palace) was built in the first half of the 13th century by the Counts of Heunburg from Carinthia on the stony outcrop on the western side of the ridge where the castle stands. It had five sides, or four plus the southern side, which was a natural defence. The first written records of the castle date back to between 1125 and 1137; it was probably built by Count Gunter. In the western section of the castle, there was a building with several floors. Remains of the walls of this palatium have survived. In the eastern section, there was an enclosed courtyard with large water reservoirs. The eastern wall, which protects the castle from its most exposed side, was around three metres thicker than the rest of the curtain wall. The wall was topped with a parapet and protected walkway.