The
basilica
In Ancient Roman architecture, a basilica is a large public building with multiple functions, typically built alongside the town's Forum (Roman), forum. The basilica was in the Latin West equivalent to a stoa in the Greek East. The building ...
of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains in
Metz, France
Metz ( , , lat, Divodurum Mediomatricorum, then ) is a city in northeast France located at the confluence of the Moselle (river), Moselle and the Seille (Moselle), Seille rivers. Metz is the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Moselle (de ...
is one of the oldest churches in Europe.
The building began life in the 4th century when Metz was an important
Gallo-Roman
Gallo-Roman culture was a consequence of the Romanization of Gauls under the rule of the Roman Empire. It was characterized by the Gaulish adoption or adaptation of Roman culture, language, morals and way of life in a uniquely Gaulish context ...
city.
History
The building belonged to one of several
thermae
In ancient Rome, (from Greek , "hot") and (from Greek ) were facilities for bathing. usually refers to the large imperial bath complexes, while were smaller-scale facilities, public or private, that existed in great numbers throughout ...
(public baths complexes) which existed in Metz in Roman times. Some sources describe it as having been a
gymnasium. In the 7th century, the structure was converted into a church, becoming the chapel of a
Benedictine
, image = Medalla San Benito.PNG
, caption = Design on the obverse side of the Saint Benedict Medal
, abbreviation = OSB
, formation =
, motto = (English: 'Pray and Work')
, foun ...
nunnery. A new
nave
The nave () is the central part of a church, stretching from the (normally western) main entrance or rear wall, to the transepts, or in a church without transepts, to the chancel. When a church contains side aisles, as in a basilica-type ...
was constructed in the 11th century with further interior renovations.
In the 16th century Metz was besieged by the troops of
Charles V Charles V may refer to:
* Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (1500–1558)
* Charles V of Naples (1661–1700), better known as Charles II of Spain
* Charles V of France (1338–1380), called the Wise
* Charles V, Duke of Lorraine (1643–1690)
* Infa ...
and later was converted into an important
garrison town by the French. The building became a warehouse, and remained so after being declared a historical monument in 1909. In the 1970s it was restored and opened for concerts and exhibitions.
[Xavier DeLeon (1988). ''Saint-Pierre-Aux-Nonnains: De l'époque romaine à l'époque gothique''. Éditions Imprimerie Nationale (collection "Guides archéologiques de la France"). Paris. .]
Burials
*
Drogo of Champagne Drogo (c.675 – 708) was a Frankish nobleman, the eldest son of Pippin of Heristal and Plectrudis. He was the duke of Champagne from the early 690s.
Drogo was born shortly after his parents' marriage, which probably took place in 675 or just aft ...
See also
*
Oldest churches in the world
This article lists some but by no means all of the oldest known church buildings in the world. In most instances, buildings listed here were reconstructed numerous times and only fragments of the original buildings have survived. These surviving ...
References
{{Coord, 49, 06, 54, N, 6, 10, 10, E, type:landmark_source:kolossus-frwiki, display=title
Buildings and structures in Metz
Monuments historiques of Grand Est
Roman Catholic churches in Metz
Ancient Roman baths in France
Ancient Roman buildings and structures in France
Tourist attractions in Metz
Burial sites of the Pippinids