Visit: The Romanesque bell tower of Annecy-le-Vieux

Name: Visit: The Romanesque bell tower of Annecy-le-Vieux
Start: 2022-09-17T14:00:00+02:00
End: 2022-09-18T17:00:00+02:00
Location: Clocher roman du chef-lieu

Enter the base of the Romanesque bell tower, admire the bell, its inscriptions and the mural paintings of three of the twelve apostles.

17 and 18 September 2022Passed

Ville d'Annecy

In the capital, two churches would have cohabited in the past. Historians think that a first church dedicated to Notre-Dame preceded the church dedicated to Saint Laurent. The bell tower would have been common to both. In the first half of the 12th century, the church of Notre Dame and its bell tower were rebuilt. The bell tower survived. On each side, it is open to two floors of twin bays with columns with capitals with vegetal decoration characteristic of Romanesque architecture. At the base of the bell tower, a limestone block probably comes from an ancient monument. He bears a dedication to the god Jupiter To Jupiter very good and very great,... Vinicius Severue gives this altar in his name and that of his father, Lucius Vinicius Latrinus». In 1988, painted decorations were discovered inside the bell tower. Dating from the 15th century, they represent a group of apostles where are recognizable Saint Barthélémy (knife), Saint Paul (sword) and Saint James the Major (pilgrim’s staff).
Visit led by Les Amis du vieux clocher.
Duration: 20 minutes continuous.
Accessible activity for young people and/or families.

About the location

Clocher roman du chef-lieu

Place Gabriel-Fauré Annecy-Le-Vieux

Haute-Savoie
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

In the administrative centre, two churches would have lived together in the past. The historians think that a first church devoted to Notre-Dame preceded the church devoted to saint Laurent. The bell tower would have been common(shared) in two. An evidence of art and of architecture In the first half of the XIIth century, the church Notre-Dame and its bell tower are rebuilt. The bell tower remains(subsists). On every face, it is opened of two floors of twin bays(berries) with small columns to capitals(big tops) with characteristic plant decoration(set) of Romance architecture. At the root of the bell tower, a block in limestone results(comes) undoubtedly from an ancient monument. He(It) carries a dedication to the god Jupiter «To very big(great) and very good Jupiter... Vinicius Severue gives this altar on his/her behalf and in that of its father, Lucius Vinicius Latrinus». In 1988, painted decorations(sets) are discovered inside the bell tower. Dated the XVth century, they represent a group of apostles where are recognizable saint Barthélémy (knife), Saint-Paul (sword) and saint Jacques Person over 18 (pilgrim's stick).