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Churches of Saint-Sauveur
Caen and surrounding
Temples, Churches
Temples, Churches

Locals have long been accustomed to calling them simply "old" and "new," but tourists are confused: both churches are located in the city center and bear the same name, Saint-Sauveur. Moreover, the "new" church was built even earlier than the "old" one. Let's figure it out! The "new" one had been named after the Holy Virgin Mary until the beginning of the 19th century. The first Romanesque chapel appeared in this place as early as the 7th century. By the 14th century, it was totally ruined, making room for the construction of a new temple. As regional wars had led to the lack of money, the church was finished only 200 years later. Therefore, the exterior of the temple has both Gothic (the bell tower and the western facade) and Renaissance (the eastern facade) features. The interior is quite austere. The most interesting parts are the vault of the ceiling (similar to an overturned boat, which is typical of religious buildings in Normandy), sculptures of Saints Ambrose and Augustine, as well as an ancient staircase leading nowhere... It is believed that it leads to a mysterious walled-up hall where the tombs of local saints are kept.

The church of "old" Saint-Sauveur was built in the 12th century, during the reign of the Carolingian royal dynasty. It has got its name since the very beginning. Besides, it also had the status of the cathedral, meaning that the services there were conducted by the bishop. The church was enlarged with Gothic choirs in the 16th century and with a portal in the classical style in the 17th century.

Unfortunately, the later fate of the temple was sad. It was seriously damaged during the French Revolution. The bishop was expelled, and a granary was set up in the church. Then there were several attempts to restore it, but all the time, something got in the way: the builders accidentally damaged the facade; there was a fire; another war happened. The final attack on the temple was made by the Allied artillery at the end of World War II, as a result of which the Gothic spire was demolished.

The restoration work is still ongoing. In the early 19th century, The cathedra was transferred to the "new" church, along with the "old" name, Saint-Sauveur.

Address: Place Saint Sauveur

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