Church of Saint-Jean, Caen

The church of Saint-Jean de Caen is the parish church of the Saint-Jean district in Caen, France. It was classified as a historical monument in the list of French historic monuments protected in 1840.[1][2]

Church of Saint-Jean
Église Saint-Jean de Caen
Map
49°10′50″N 0°21′28″W / 49.18056°N 0.35778°W / 49.18056; -0.35778
LocationCaen, Calvados, Normandy
Country France
DenominationRoman catholic
Architecture
Heritage designationMonument historique
Designated1840
Architectural typeGothic, renaissance
Years built15th century16th century

The first place of worship, dedicated to the Apostle John, was founded in the seventh century on a Roman road crossing the marshes of the lower valley of the Orne. This axis, connecting Augustodurum (Bayeux) to Noviomagus Lexoviorum (Lisieux), later became rue Exmoisine, now rue Saint-Jean. In 1954-1956, monolithic sarcophagi made of Caen stone were discovered during work in the church. They testify to the probable existence of a small necropolis along the Roman road and an oratory founded nearby. Of this pre-Romanesque sanctuary, nothing remains.

References

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  1. ^ Base Mérimée: Église Saint-Jean, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)
  2. ^ Gervais de La Rue, Essais historiques sur la ville de Caen et son arrondissement, Caen, Poisson, 1820, p. 256.

49°10′48″N 0°21′25″W / 49.18°N 0.357°W / 49.18; -0.357