Registration for Historic Monuments 15 septembre 1952 (≈ 1952)
Protection of the iron cage.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Origin and history
The belfry of Caromb is a historical monument located in the commune of Caromb, in the department of Vaucluse (84), in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. This monument is distinguished by its ironwork cage which houses a bell, an architectural element typical of medieval or post-medieval belfries. Although its exact construction period is not specified in available sources, its listing as Historic Monuments in 1952 underscores its heritage importance.
The ironwork cage running the belfry was specifically protected by a decree of 15 September 1952, indicating an official recognition of its artistic or historical value. The monument is now the property of the municipality of Caromb. The belfries, in general, played a central role in cities and villages, serving as both a watchtower, a support for bells (rhythming daily life or alerts), and a symbol of communal power.
The location of the belfry, at 34 Rue de la Placette in Caromb, is documented in the Merimée base, with geographical accuracy deemed "a priori satisfactory". This address places the monument in the heart of the village, suggesting its integration into the historical urban fabric. Available sources, including Monumentum, do not provide additional information on its origin, sponsors or architectural evolution over the centuries.
In the regional context of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, belfries were often associated with public or religious buildings, reflecting the social and political organization of local communities. In Caromb, as in other Provencal villages, such a monument could serve as a visual and sound landmark, marking the collective identity. The lack of data on its construction period, however, limits the understanding of its specific history.
The Creative Commons license associated with the photo of the monument (credit: Véronique PAGNIER) allows a free distribution of its image, contributing to its heritage value. Finally, although the sources do not specify whether the belfry is open to the visit, its protection under the Historic Monuments makes it a key part of the local heritage, likely to attract the attention of visitors and researchers.
