Church of Sainte-Radegonde

Poitiers, France

The Church of Sainte-Radegonde is a medieval Roman Catholic church in Poitiers, France, dating from the 6th century. It takes its name from the Frankish queen and nun, Radegund, who was buried in the church. Considered a saint, the church became a place of pilgrimage by those devoted to her heavenly intercession.

The remains of the saintly foundress were exhumed by order of Abbess Béliarde in 1012 for public veneration, and the entire church was rebuilt after a major fire in 1083. The reconstruction expanded the structure, including both a chevet and the foundations of a bell tower when it was dedicated in 1099. The current church was built in a combination of Romanesque and Angevin Gothic architectural styles.

The church comprises a low relief porch of the eleventh century, a Pieta seventeenth century and the capitals of the Romanesque choir. A series of 16 stained glass windows partially dating from the 13th century recounts the life of Radegund. They were restored in the 19th century.

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Details

Founded: 11th century
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

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