Gap Cathedral

Gap Cathedral
French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Arnoux de Gap
Gap Cathedral
44°33′29″N 6°4′41″E / 44.55806°N 6.07806°E / 44.55806; 6.07806
LocationGap, Hautes-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Country France
DenominationCatholic
History
StatusCathedral
DedicationVirgin Mary and Arnoux of Gap
Consecrated21 September 1895
Architecture
Functional statusactive
ArchitectCharles Laisné
Architectural typechurch
StyleGothic Revival
Years built1866–1904
Specifications
Tower height70 m (229 ft 8 in)
Administration
DioceseGap and Embrun
Official nameCathédrale Saint-Arnoux
Typeclassé
Designated9 August 1906
Reference no.PA00080566

Gap Cathedral (French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Arnoux de Gap) is a Roman Catholic church located in the town of Gap, Hautes-Alpes, France. It is a national monument, and is the seat of the Bishop of Gap and Embrun.

History

The original cathedral on the site was built around the 5th century on the ruins of a Roman temple to the God Apollo. Over the years several buildings stood at the same spot. The current cathedral was built between 1866 and 1904 in Neo-Gothic style by architect Charles Laisné on the site of the former cathedral of mediaeval origin which was then falling to ruin.

The architecture is heavily inspired by the nearby Embrun Cathedral.

The current bell tower stands at 70 metres (229 ft 8 in) high.

Consecrated on 21st September 1895, the feast of Arnoux of Gap, who was Bishop of Gap during the 11th century and is the patron saint of the Gap. The cathedral was designated as a Monument historique on 9th August 1906.

References and notes