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Origin and history

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption of Ascain, located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It depends on the diocese of Bayonne and was built in the 14th century, then destroyed and rebuilt in 1626, after an extension of the city. The existing building, expanded and enhanced, was restored in 1966 and listed as historic monuments in 1988. Its stone, a white sandstone, comes from La Rhune mountain, which dominates Ascain.

The bell tower, of square plane and culminating at 22 meters, is reinforced by pilasters forming foothills. It houses a clock mechanism and four bells, the largest of which, dating from 1904, weighs 1,300 kg. The ground floor of the porch, accessible by three arches in the middle of the pit, once served at the municipal assemblies (biltzar) of the Ancien Régime. An external lateral staircase serves the interior galleries.

The nave, 40 metres long and 11.4 metres wide, has no transept but a vaulted span of liernes and thirdons. Side wooden stands on three levels were once reserved for male faithful. The choir, raised, houses a remarkable Baroque altarpiece, decorated with statues of the Virgin, Saint Joseph, Saint John the Evangelist, Saint Peter and Saint Paul. A narrow door, known as "snags", is visible on the left side.

The church also preserves a three-mast-shaped ex-voto, reminiscent of the village's maritime past, formerly known for its shipyards. A 20-game organ, built in 1987 by Pesce House, completes the ensemble. The north wall of the building preserves 14th century remains, testifying to its ancient history.

The church, owned by the commune, is an example of religious architecture mixing medieval and classical elements, reflecting the historical and cultural evolution of the region.

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