Eglise Sainte-Croix
ChurchHidden Treasure
Eglise Sainte-Croix, located in Josselin (Département 56), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- Church
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Josselin, Département 56, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 47.9515, -2.5516
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00091313
Founded around 1050 by Josthon de Porhoët, the church of Sainte-Croix in Josselin still has an intact Romanesque nave and a tower with a singular silhouette adorned with a sculpted Christ on the north façade.
History
In the heart of Josselin, a medieval town in Morbihan dominated by its famous castle, the church of Sainte-Croix is often overlooked in favour of its illustrious neighbour. It is, however, one of the oldest Romanesque buildings in the Porhoët region, whose sober granite hides a wealth of history and architecture that is rare in inland Brittany. Founded in the middle of the 11th century, it offers the attentive visitor a striking dialogue between the strata of time: Romanesque walls, Gothic openings and modern additions blend into a discreet but eloquent harmony. What makes Sainte-Croix truly unique is the persistence of its origins. The 11th-century nave, which ends in a flat chevet characteristic of Breton Romanesque architecture, has remained in its original configuration, while a few Romanesque windows on the north façade bear witness to a thrifty and precise building style. The massive tower flanking the building imposes its distinctive silhouette on the roofs of the old town, and its sculpted decoration - a Christ on the Cross set in a pediment frame - is an iconographic curiosity well worth a visit. The visit is an intimate experience. Far from the crowds that flock to the Château des Rohan, Sainte-Croix can be explored at its own pace, in a silence conducive to contemplation. The tears visible on the outside walls are a reminder that the church was once part of a priory belonging to Redon Abbey, of which only ghostly traces remain today. The surrounding area reinforces this timeless atmosphere. Old Josselin, with its cobbled streets and timber-framed houses, forms a coherent medieval setting in which the church fits in naturally. Just a few minutes' walk away, the Château des Rohan and the Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Roncier complete an exceptional heritage tour in a small area, making Josselin one of the small towns most steeped in history in the whole of Brittany.
Architecture
The architecture of Sainte-Croix is in keeping with the Breton Romanesque tradition of the 11th century, characterised by simple forms and sober decoration. The primitive rectangular plan with a single nave, ending in a flat chevet rather than a semicircular apse, reflects the building practices of inland Brittany, where granite imposed its constraints while dictating an aesthetic of rigour. The walls of grey granite are of a dense, homogenous texture, pierced by Romanesque round-headed windows with simple splaying, a few of which remain on the north facade, precious evidence of the first building campaign. The ensemble has been modified over the centuries by the addition of a side chapel, which breaks the simple line of the original building and creates a play of volumes characteristic of small Breton medieval churches. The massive tower, the most immediately visible part of the building, has a compact, squat silhouette, typical of tower churches in medieval Morbihan, topped by a crown that gives it a distinct architectural personality in the urban fabric of Josselin. On its north face, a sculpted stone depicting Christ on the Cross set in a pediment frame is the main surviving exterior sculpted ornament. Inside, the Romanesque nave imposes its sober, contemplative space. Later Gothic openings, wider than the original ones, change the lighting without betraying the spirit of the building. The tears visible on the exterior walls are reminiscent of the priory's vanished volumes, allowing architects and historians to mentally reconstruct the original footprint of the monastery complex.
Related Figures
Josthon de Porhoët — seigneur fondateur, donateur de l'église à l'abbaye de Redon vers 1050-1060, dont le prénom est à l'origine du nom de la ville de JosselinAbbaye de Redon — établissement bénédictin récepteur de la fondation, qui administra le prieuré attenant pendant plusieurs sièclesGuerech de Rhuys — abbé de Redon dans la seconde moitié du XIe siècle, acteur probable de l'établissement du prieuré josselinoisOlivier de Clisson — connétable de France et seigneur de Josselin à la fin du XIVe siècle, dont le règne coïncide avec d'importants travaux dans le patrimoine religieux localJean II de Rohan — seigneur de Josselin au XVe siècle, sous lequel le tissu monumental de la ville connut un développement important
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Eglise Sainte-Croix located?
Eglise Sainte-Croix is located in Josselin, Département 56 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Eglise Sainte-Croix built?
Eglise Sainte-Croix dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Eglise Sainte-Croix open to visitors?
Eglise Sainte-Croix is currently closed to visitors.
