Date: 1152
Period: Middle Ages
Type : Religious architecture
Status : Property of the City of Arles, classified as a historic monument (1945)
The église de la Major takes its name from its location at the top of the Hauture hill.
Built from the 12th century onwards, its architecture has been frequently altered. The nave has retained its Romanesque character, while more recent additions have included the bell tower and façade.
The church's furnishings are particularly rich. It was erected as a collegiate chapter and, until the French Revolution, was the church of the largest parish in Arles. Today, the Eglise de la Major is primarily the religious headquarters of the Guardians brotherhood. Every May 1, they come here to pay homage to Saint George and have their horses blessed.
The church's structure was severely damaged by bombing in 1944, and has since undergone extensive restoration. The Romanesque church retains its three-bay nave, covered by a broken barrel vault subtended by projecting doubleaux that fall on massive pillars. The semicircular apse was adorned with eight basalt and porphyry columns, now lost. The chevet comprises a rib-vaulted choir bay and a five-sided apse, as high as the nave. Sixteenth-century ogival-style side chapels are added to the apse. The current façade is in the sober elegance of the Louis XIII style. The square bell tower is topped by a pyramid, surmounted by a Madonna designed by Lasalle and executed by Cusson.
The church's surviving furnishings include a polychrome marble pulpit (18th century) and a gilded wooden altar from Saint-Blaise church. In addition to St. George, there are two 19th-century marble statues, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and a Virgin Mary by Italian sculptor Monti. Finally, the choir altarpiece features three 18th-century paintings of The Annunciation, The Visitation and The Presentation in the Temple.
Period: Middle Ages
Type : Religious architecture
Status : Property of the City of Arles, classified as a historic monument (1945)
The église de la Major takes its name from its location at the top of the Hauture hill.
Built from the 12th century onwards, its architecture has been frequently altered. The nave has retained its Romanesque character, while more recent additions have included the bell tower and façade.
The church's furnishings are particularly rich. It was erected as a collegiate chapter and, until the French Revolution, was the church of the largest parish in Arles. Today, the Eglise de la Major is primarily the religious headquarters of the Guardians brotherhood. Every May 1, they come here to pay homage to Saint George and have their horses blessed.
The church's structure was severely damaged by bombing in 1944, and has since undergone extensive restoration. The Romanesque church retains its three-bay nave, covered by a broken barrel vault subtended by projecting doubleaux that fall on massive pillars. The semicircular apse was adorned with eight basalt and porphyry columns, now lost. The chevet comprises a rib-vaulted choir bay and a five-sided apse, as high as the nave. Sixteenth-century ogival-style side chapels are added to the apse. The current façade is in the sober elegance of the Louis XIII style. The square bell tower is topped by a pyramid, surmounted by a Madonna designed by Lasalle and executed by Cusson.
The church's surviving furnishings include a polychrome marble pulpit (18th century) and a gilded wooden altar from Saint-Blaise church. In addition to St. George, there are two 19th-century marble statues, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and a Virgin Mary by Italian sculptor Monti. Finally, the choir altarpiece features three 18th-century paintings of The Annunciation, The Visitation and The Presentation in the Temple.
Location
Location
Contact Church of our Lady of the Major
- www.paroisse-arles.com
Environment
Environment
- Town location
