Église Saint-Sauveur de Manosque, nestled in the picturesque town of Manosque in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region of France, is a magnificent blend of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. This historic church, known locally as église Saint-Sauveur de Manosque, holds a significant place in the heart of the town and offers visitors a glimpse into the rich tapestry of its past.
The construction of Église Saint-Sauveur de Manosque commenced in the late 12th century and extended into the 14th century. It was consecrated in 1372 by Bishop Ranulphe de Gorse, the nephew of Pope Innocent VI, although it had already been opened for worship by 1250. Despite being younger than the nearby Notre-Dame de Romigier church, Église Saint-Sauveur stands proudly on the shaded square of the same name, which features a charming cast-iron fountain adorned with four swans.
The church's architectural elements are a testament to the craftsmanship of the era. The Romanesque nave, re-vaulted with Gothic ribbing in the 17th century, leads to a Romanesque transept crowned with a dome on squinches. The apse is covered with a ribbed semi-dome. The main entrance, a Gothic portal, welcomes visitors into this historical sanctuary.
One of the most striking features of Église Saint-Sauveur de Manosque is its square bell tower, topped with an elegant wrought-iron campanile. This masterpiece was crafted in 1725 by Guillaume Bounard, a blacksmith from Valensole. The campanile, originally intended for the clock tower that once stood on Saint-Sauveur Square, was relocated to the church's bell tower in 1869 after the original was lost in the 1708 earthquake. This intricate, spherical structure, free of any welds, is a marvel of ironwork, crowned with a high finial, a ball, and a cross.
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Stepping inside, visitors are greeted by a wealth of historical and artistic treasures. The church houses an impressive collection of wooden carved seats and paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. The Romanesque transept, with its transverse barrel vaults, and the ribbed semi-dome of the apse, add to the church's architectural splendor.
At the rear of the church, the imposing polychrome and gilded wooden gallery stands out, supporting a very old organ. This gallery is a testament to the church's historical significance and artistic heritage.
The church is home to a remarkable organ, originally constructed in 1625 by Esprit Meyssonnier, a member of a renowned family of woodworkers, sculptors, and organ builders from Cavaillon. The organ has undergone several restorations over the centuries, including significant work by the Lombard organ builder Piantanida in 1815, who is also known for the golden organ of Notre-Dame-des-Doms in Avignon.
The organ's case, a splendid example of Italian style, features modest dimensions, a flat facade without openwork above the pipes, and early French influences such as turrets breaking up the facade's monotony and ornamental elements. The base is particularly noteworthy, with its small partitioned panels adorned with rosettes, musical instrument trophies, and cartouches. The turrets rest on intricately worked brackets, with stylized foliage for the central turret and cherub heads for the lateral ones. It is believed that Jean-Esprit Isnard drew inspiration from this case for the organ in the Cathedral of Saint-Sauveur in Aix-en-Provence.
The organ's single keyboard of 54 notes includes 13 stops and a permanently coupled pedalboard of 13 notes, featuring a double stop: Contrabassi 16' + 8'. The console is window-style, with stop knobs grouped on the right and operated laterally, in the Italian manner. The note action is entirely mechanical, with the single windchest and most of the pipework attributed to Piantanida, except for the 473 pipes from Meyssonnier, the trumpet and oboe from Daublaine & Callinet, and a few additions by Alain Sals.
Église Saint-Sauveur de Manosque is not just a place of worship; it is a living museum of history and art. Its walls echo with the stories of centuries past, and its architectural and artistic treasures offer a window into the rich cultural heritage of Manosque. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an art lover, or simply a curious traveler, a visit to this remarkable church is a journey through time that you will not soon forget.
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