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Origin and history

The Sainte-Croix de Celleneuve church, located in the suburbs of Celleneuve in Montpellier, is a 12th and 14th century Romanesque building. Built by the monks of the Abbey of Aniane to extend their influence on the expanding Montpellier, it replaces a Carolingian chapel called cella nova. Its strategic location, at the heart of the territory of the bishops of Maguelone, allowed to control the traffic of the Domitian Way at the passage of the Mosson.

In the 14th century, the church was profoundly modified to strengthen the defense of the suburbs, threatened by the roadmen ravaging the region. The nave and apse were raised and fortified with machicolis. A round road, of which there remains a visible stone arch, bears witness to these defensive developments. Until the end of the 19th century, it housed the laying of King James I of Aragon, stressing its historical importance.

Ranked a historic monument in 1840, the church resisted the Hundred Years War, the Wars of Religion and the Revolution. Today it is the seat of the Orthodox Church of St. Helena and St. Croix, dependent on the Moscow Patriarchate. The liturgy is celebrated in French, perpetuating its cultural role after more than eight centuries of history.

Its architecture blends original Romanesque elements with 14th century defensive additions, such as mâchicoulis between the foothills. The south gate, added in 1719 by architect Desfours, and the 18th century sacristy complete this ensemble. Owned by the commune, it remains a rare testimony of the medieval and religious history of Montpellier.

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