Notre Dame de la Mer - Église fortifiée, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Notre Dame de la Mer - Église fortifiée is a single, straight, unadorned nave 15 m (50 ft) high. The church once held an important strategic position--it towers over the village and is visible from as far as 10 km (6.2 mi). The roof of the church served as a watchtower, and is surrounded by a rampart walk with battlements and machicolations. The choir and the apse are topped by a semicircular keep housing the former guards’ room, known as the upper chapel. The church was a refuge for the inhabitants of the city, and there was even a fresh-water well inside. To the right of the altar, in the crypt, you can see a statue of St. Sara, a major figure of the Roma (or gypsy) cultural tradition. Don't miss a pagan altar dating from the fourth century BCE. Find out how to plan Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer trip without stress by asking Inspirock to help create an itinerary.