Construction of church XIIe siècle (≈ 1250)
Romanesque building erected in Tessel
23 septembre 1911
South portal ranking
South portal ranking 23 septembre 1911 (≈ 1911)
Protection for historical monuments
4 octobre 1932
Side door inscription
Side door inscription 4 octobre 1932 (≈ 1932)
Sculpted tympanum of the protected nave
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
South gate: by order of 23 September 1911; South side door of the tympanum nave: inscription by order of 4 October 1932
Key figures
Arcisse de Caumont - Historian and archaeologist
Documented the church in 1846
Origin and history
The church of Saint-Germain de Tessel is a Catholic religious building located in the village of Tessel, in the department of Calvados in Normandy. Built in the 12th century, it is a typical example of the Romanesque architecture of this period. Its southern gate, particularly remarkable, was classified as historical monuments as early as 1911, while the southern side door of the nave, adorned with a carved tympanum, was listed in 1932. These successive protections demonstrate the heritage value of its oldest architectural elements.
Today, the monument retains its original function, still serving Catholic worship. His history is documented in works such as the Monumental Statistics of the Calvados d'Arcisse de Caumont (1846), which describes its stylistic characteristics. The precise location of the building, at address 47 Impasse de l'Église, confirms its anchoring in the historical urban fabric of Tessel, a commune whose Insee code (14684) administratively links the church to the territory of Calvados.
From an architectural point of view, the Saint-Germain church is distinguished by its Romanesque elements, including its southern gate and its carved tympanum. These details, protected by ministerial orders, reflect the techniques and artistic motifs in vogue in the Middle Ages in Lower Normandy. Although the accuracy of its geographical location is considered poor according to the criteria of the Merimée base, its status as communal property and its openness to the public make it an accessible place, anchored in local life.
The available sources, such as Wikipedia and Monumentum, underline its importance in the regional heritage, while mentioning its integration into official lists, such as that of the historical monuments of Calvados. These references reinforce its role as a witness to Norman religious and architectural history, from its construction in the 12th century to its contemporary preservation.
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