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Lanleff’s temple — Lanleff
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Historical Sites 📍 Lanleff, France 201 views

Lanleff’s temple

Lanleff’s temple is a pink sandstone ruin located in Lanleff, Brittany. It is a round church, reminiscent of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Commonly called "Temple Lanleff", this building with two circular enclosures is one of the oldest monuments of the Middle Ag...

Lanleff’s temple — Lanleff, France.

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Lanleff
Type
Historical Sites
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About Lanleff’s temple

Lanleff’s temple - Lanleff | Secret World Trip Planner

Lanleff’s temple is a pink sandstone ruin located in Lanleff, Brittany. It is a round church, reminiscent of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Commonly called "Temple Lanleff", this building with two circular enclosures is one of the oldest monuments of the Middle Ages in Cotes d'Armor and one of the most enigmatic. Prosper Merimee, as inspector of historic monuments, visited him in 1836 and contributed to its designation as a historic monument. This building, in Romanesque style consists of a sleek central nave consists of twelve semicircular arches, supported by pillars resting on a solid foundation wall. The stones that constitute them are relatively friable sandstone and a variety of volcanic rock called "spilite". The outer wall, which remains only a part, has openings designed as deadly. Most bases of columns and their capitals are adorned with decorations inscribed in stone, most often geometric shapes but there are also human and animal figures. These decorations, very crude and degraded, appear before that we know of 11th and 12th centuries. This building, which has just been restored under the aegis of historical monuments, the charm and serenity.

Lanleff’s temple - Lanleff | Secret World Trip Planner
Lanleff’s temple - Lanleff | Secret World Trip Planner
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Frequently Asked Questions

Lanleff's temple is a pink sandstone ruin located in Brittany featuring a distinctive round church design that mirrors the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Built in Romanesque style with two circular enclosures and supported by twelve semicircular arches, it is one of the oldest and most enigmatic medieval monuments in Cotes d'Armor, dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries.
Prosper Merimee was an inspector of historic monuments who visited Lanleff's temple in 1836 and played a crucial role in its preservation. His recognition of the site's historical importance led to its official designation as a historic monument, helping to protect this remarkable medieval structure.
The temple features a sleek central nave supported by twelve semicircular arches resting on pillars, constructed from friable pink sandstone and volcanic rock called spilite. Column bases and capitals throughout the structure are decorated with stone carvings, including geometric patterns and crude human and animal figures that date back centuries.
The temple has recently undergone restoration by historical monument authorities and now offers a charming and serene atmosphere for visitors. While the outer wall is only partially preserved with openings designed as defensive features, the restored interior allows visitors to appreciate the intricate Romanesque architecture and ancient stone decorations.
The decorations adorning the column bases and capitals showcase a variety of designs, primarily geometric patterns but also featuring rare human and animal figures carved directly into the stone. Though crude and degraded by time, these 11th and 12th-century carvings provide valuable insights into medieval artistic expression and craftsmanship.

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