COLLEGIATE CHURCH OF SAINT PIERRE AND SAINT PAUL
A collegiate church blending Romanesque and Gothic styles, offering a historic stroll through the heart of Saint-Donat.
Located next to the Palais Delphinal, the collegiate church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, a blend of Romanesque and Gothic art, is a charming stopover in the heart of Saint-Donat. The bishops of Grenoble, then on the run, deposited the relics of Saint-Donat, whose name the town bears, on this hill where a castle had been built and remnants of its ramparts still remain. Entrusting responsibility for the site to Italian canons, the bishops built an episcopal palace, a collegiate church and a cloister - both dedicated to Saint-Donat - which remain jewels in the town's crown. The church was plundered in 1562, during the Wars of Religion, and the saint's relics unfortunately disappeared at that time. A series of staircases leads up to this remarkable complex, which dominates the village. In the cloister courtyard, you can admire the ornaments carved into the molasse. Some have been damaged by the weather. But what beautiful remains! The courtyard is also magnificent, offering a particularly pleasant, peaceful space. The Association des Amis de la Collégiale (Friends of the Collegiate Church), which runs the site, is committed to preserving and promoting the church, in particular by programming concerts in the church throughout the year. Equipped with top-quality organs, the church hosts a top-class Johann Sebastian Bach festival every summer. Incidentally, the organ was specially designed to play works by this composer!
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
Book the Best Activities with Get Your Guide
Members' reviews on COLLEGIATE CHURCH OF SAINT PIERRE AND SAINT PAUL
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.