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Origin and history

The cocathedral Saint-Michel de Sospel, located in the Alpes-Maritimes, finds its origins in the 12th century with a Lombard Romanesque bell tower, the only vestige of the primitive church. This bell tower, dated from the end of the 12th century, is distinguished by its base pierced with narrow bays and its pyramidal arrow added at the beginning of the 13th century. The building became cathedral in 1378 during the great schism of the West, when Sospel supported the pope d'Avignon, a status which it retained until 1411. This major religious role marks its historic importance in the region.

In 1632, after an epidemic of plague, the population of Sospel vowed to rebuild the church. The works began in 1641 under the direction of the Nice architect Jean-André Guiberto (or Guibert), known for the Cathedral of Sainte-Reparate in Nice. The reconstruction, completed in 1672, gave rise to a monumental Baroque building, the largest in the Alpes-Maritimes. Embellishments, such as the front of the façade, were added in 1762. The church underwent restoration in 1888 after an earthquake in 1887, before being classified as a Historic Monument in 1951.

The furniture of the cocathedral is exceptional: there is a retable by François Bréa (1520), a tabernacle in marquetry by Luigi Prinotto (1746), and works from the 15th and 17th centuries, including procession crosses and an ostensoir. The organ, built in 1753 and rebuilt in 1843 by the Agati brothers, illustrates the Italian musical heritage. Ranked in 1979, it has been restored several times, notably in 1988 by factor Muno.

The architecture thus blends Romanesque (lombard) and Baroque (facade and nave) elements, reflecting the stylistic evolutions and historical upheavals of Sospel. Its status as a cocathedral, although temporary, and its role in local religious life make it an emblematic monument of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Today, the Saint-Michel cocathedral remains a major testimony of Provencal sacred art, combining medieval and Baroque heritage. Its classification and successive restorations underline its cultural and historical importance for the commune and the region.

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