Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Saint-Martin church of Oradour-sur-Glane is an integral part of the tragic history and reconstruction of the village. On 10 June 1944, the original village was destroyed by the Nazi division Das Reich, during a massacre that deeply marked collective memory. After the war, the decision was taken to rebuild the village west of the ruins, preserved in memory of the victims. The present church, the last public building erected between 1952 and 1953, embodies this renaissance. Its architecture combines modernity and tradition, with concrete structures and granite stone walls covered with white coating.

The monument is distinguished by its innovative plan, combining an external appearance in Latin cross (thanks to a monumental porch) and an interior organization in Greek cross, reinforced by the bell tower and side chapels. The sober facades are animated by five narrow windows and murals, including a central representation of Saint Martin surrounded by angels, by artist Jean Burkhalter. The stained glass windows, signed by P. Parot and F. Chigot, as well as the whole decor, testify to a desire to reconcile sacrality and memory, in a place both religious and memorial.

Classified as a Historic Monument in 2012, the church belongs to the commune and remains a strong symbol of reconstruction, while honouring the victims of the 1944 tragedy. His address, place de l'Église, and his code INSEE (87110) anchored in the Haute-Vienne, in the heart of New Aquitaine, where she continued to play a central role in local life and the duty of memory.

External links