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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Benedictine Priory Saint-Hippolyte, founded in the 12th century, was one of the first places of worship in Cremieu with the church of Saint-Marcel. Its fortifications, dating from the late 12th or early 13th century, included a 950-metre enclosure reinforced with round or square towers, such as the tower of Dizimieu, made of horse iron, with its two independent levels. The Clock Tower, symbol of the city, was later built, reflecting the defensive and religious evolution of the site.

In 1247 the priory was united with the abbey of Saint-Chef, but declined rapidly: as early as 1401, his chapel was decommissioned, transformed into a farm. However, the Clock Tower experienced improvements in the 16th century, with the installation of a bell in 1531 and a clock, made by the Lyonnais Noël Danville in 1541. Contrary to a local tradition, no evidence confirmed its destruction in 1562 by Protestants; the fortifications were even strengthened in 1567.

In the 18th century, the Capuchins restored the chapel, which remained a place of devotion until the Revolution. The clock, maintained by the municipality, saw its bell replaced in 1805 by the Lyon founders Rosier. The opening of the enclosure to the east, often wrongly attributed to Lesdiguières, was actually enlarged in the 20th century for the water castle. Classified as a Historical Monument in 1926, the towers today bear witness to this medieval and religious past.

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