Basilica of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains

Basilica of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains
Ancienne abbaye Saint-Pierre
église Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains
49°06′54″N6°10′10″E / 49.11500°N 6.16944°E / 49.11500; 6.16944
Location	Metz, Moselle, Grand Est
Address	1 rue de la Citadelle
Country	France
Previous denomination	Catholic
Website	https://metz.fr/lieux/lieu-129.php
History
Status	Abbey church
Dedication	Saint Peter
Architecture
Functional status	Deconsecrated (museum)
Style	Late Roman, Ottonian
Years built	7th-century, 13th century, 15th–16th centuries
Groundbreaking	370–400
Specifications
Nave length	34 m (111 ft 7 in)
Nave width	18 m (59 ft 1 in)
Nave height	20 m (65 ft 7 in)
Materials	Stone
Administration
Diocese	Metz
Monument historique
Official name	Ancienne abbaye Saint-Pierre
Type	Classé
Designated	31 December 1909
Reference no.	PA00106812

The basilica of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains in Metz, France, is one of the oldest churches in Europe. The building began life in the 4th century when Metz was an important Gallo-Roman city. ^[1]

History

The building belonged to one of several thermae (public baths complexes) which existed in Metz in Roman times. ^[2] 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 nunnery. A new nave was constructed in the 11th century with further interior renovations.

In the 16th century Metz was besieged by the troops of Charles V 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. ^{[3] [4] [5] [6]}

Burials

• Drogo of Champagne

See also

• Oldest churches in the world

References

1. Haselgrove, C., J. Kunow. "Places: 108927 (Divodurum/Mettis)". Pleiades. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
2. "Guide to the Roman Metz" . Retrieved 16 September 2021.
3. Marie-Therese Baudry. Early Christian monuments of France.
4. Heber-Suffrin Francis. Saint-Pierre-Aux-Nonnains.
5. R. Will (1972). Étude archélogique et historique de Saint-Pierre aux Nonnains à Metz (Moselle).
6. 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. ISBN   2-11-081268-0.