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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Church of St. Mary Magdalene of L. Orion Hospital, built at the end of the 12th century, adopts a Greek cross plan, where the arms of the transept equal the depth of the unique nave. Originally vaulted, it saw its vaults replaced by a panel. Its three-sided bedside is framed by two square apsidioles, one of which is now used as sacristy. The outer corners of the bedside are adorned with columnettes placed on ices of foothills, while the west facade, surmounted by a gable pierced with modern bays, is preceded by a porch.

Classified as a Historical Monument by order of 4 December 1913, this church stood on a route frequented by the pilgrims of Santiago de Compostela. Its architecture combines simplicity and decorative elements, such as bedside columns, reflecting late Romanesque techniques. The conversion of an absidiole to sacristy and the addition of modern bays to the facade testify to subsequent adaptations, without fundamentally altering its original structure.

Owned by the municipality of L'Hôpital d'Orion (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), the building maintains a precise location, noted as "a priori satisfactory" in the heritage bases. Its historical role, linked to the jacquarian roads, and its ranking make it a remarkable heritage of New Aquitaine, although some modifications (lambria, bays) marked its evolution.

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