Église Saint-Martin, Marmoutier
Church in Marmoutier, France / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Église Saint-Martin is the parish church of the small commune of Marmoutier, in the Bas-Rhin department of France. The church used to belong to Marmoutier Abbey and to be dedicated to Saint Stephen; it is still known as église (church), or abbatiale (abbey church) Saint-Étienne.
Église Saint-Martin de Marmoutier | |
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Abbatiale de Marmoutier | |
48°41′26″N 7°22′57″E | |
Location | Marmoutier |
Country | France |
Denomination | Catholic |
History | |
Former name(s) | Abteikirche Maursmünster Abbatiale Saint-Étienne de Marmoutier |
Status | Parish church |
Founded | 6th century |
Dedication | Saint Stephen (formerly) Saint Martin (currently) |
Architecture | |
Heritage designation | Monument historique |
Designated | 1840 |
Style | Romanesque Gothic Gothic Revival |
Groundbreaking | 1150 |
Completed | 1770 |
Specifications | |
Length | 74 m (243 ft) |
Materials | pink Vosges sandstone |
Administration | |
Archdiocese | Strasbourg |
Parish | Communauté de paroisses «Terres et eaux de Marmoutier» |
Built over a period of over 700 years, Marmoutier's church has a length of 74 metres (243 feet),[1][2] and grows younger from West to East: the facade with its porch tower is Romanesque, the nave is Gothic, and the choir was rebuilt in the years 1765–1770 in an early Gothic Revival style.[3] It is classified as a Monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture since 1840,[4] making it a part of the very first list of such heritage buildings, and is a stage on the Romanesque Road of Alsace.[5]
The western facade of Marmoutier's church is famous for its massive but well balanced architecture,[6] while inside, the 1710 pipe organ by Andreas Silbermann (completed in 1746 by his son, Johann Andreas Silbermann, and restored several times since)[7][8] and the 18th-century choir stalls[9] are among the most notable items on display.