SAINT-MAXIMIN CHURCH
A church with a façade decorated with a baroque portal, with an exceptional set of stained glass windows, a Romanesque bell tower and a nave
Opposite the Lutheran temple, a striking geographical shortcut to the turbulent history of the Catholics and Protestants of Metz, the church of Saint-Maximin, in the Outre-Seille district, is named after Maximin, a former bishop of Trier (died in 350). Built from the 12th to the 15th century, the apse and bell tower are Romanesque, the nave and aisles are Gothic. The façade is decorated with a baroque portal. The interior is bathed in a dull and mysterious light... Almost mystical! We owe this singular atmosphere to the very subtle nuances of the colors of the glasses: sometimes blue, sometimes yellow, green or violet... This exceptional set of stained glass windows is the unique masterpiece of the famous poet-filmmaker Jean Cocteau. The geometric shapes are resolutely modern and enigmatic with real influences from Africa, America and Oceania. The beauty of these stained glass windows is exalted when the sunlight appears. When Art Deco serves the spiritual... It was under these vaults that the young Bossuet pronounced one of the first funeral orations, that of Henry de Gournay, on October 24, 1658. The great organ was built in 1969 from an existing old pipework. The ideal acoustics of Saint-Maximin make it a privileged place for concerts: the instrument would be the best baroque organ in the city. Note that several objects are listed as historical monuments, including the relic of Saint Maximin. So, take the time to discover this church which is full of treasures ready to be revealed!
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