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Origin and history

The Chapel of St.Martin of Kalhausen, located in the village of the same name in Moselle, is a monument whose history extends from the Gallo-Roman period to the 15th century. Originally, it was part of the Weidesheim estate, owned by the Bitche family. The site preserves traces of an ancient occupation, including two Gallo-Roman bas-reliefs re-used in the masonry of the triumphal arch in the middle of the century, suggesting the existence of an older religious building, perhaps a Romanesque chapel.

In the 15th century, Simon de Bitche the Ancien, called from Gentersberg, undertook important works: he transformed the nearby castle and had the chapel rebuilt. Today, only the Gothic choir remains, the nave having been destroyed after World War II. From the original vault, there are only the departures of the arches. The triumphal arch, incorporating Gallo-Roman elements, testifies to the superposition of architectural periods and styles.

Ranked a Historic Monument in 1982, the chapel protects the remains of its apse and the ground of the old nave. Its present state reflects both medieval transformations and modern destruction, while preserving tangible traces of its ancient past. The approximate location and the lack of details on its accessibility underline its mysterious and fragile character.

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