This church offers a journey through time, more than fifteen centuries
This building, the oldest in Metz and even in the Lorraine region, has had an incredible destiny! It was built at the end of the 4th century by the Romans, but its first vocation was to be a gymnasium (called palestra), part of a thermal complex. The complex was destroyed by the passage of Attila before it was completed. It was later decided to rebuild the building, but it had another use: it was to serve as a chapel for a Benedictine abbey. It is from this period that the chancel of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains dates. In the year 1000, when Metz was part of the Holy Roman Empire, the church was enlarged upwards; this is when the Romanesque nave was built. At the end of the Middle Ages, a Gothic stone vault was added to the ensemble. The building was destroyed again during the siege of Metz by Charles V in 1552. The city was then attached to France and the French army launched the construction of a citadel to house a large army. Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains then became a military warehouse until the 20th century. Finally, after years of restoration (since the 1970s), the building opened its doors to the public in 1988. Today, it is a concert and exhibition hall and is used by many artists. The acoustics are exceptional: what to delight the music lovers. A trip back in time, more than fifteen centuries! History lovers will be delighted.
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Members' reviews on SAINT-PIERRE-AUX-NONNAINS CHURCH
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Vaut le détour.
Se trouve près de l'esplanade.