Bells and Bell Towers: The Church of Sainte Marguerite in Roquebrune Saint-Martin

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As is often the case, the passerby is too rushed to discover the old stones and their history; they pass by without looking, without listening, and move away towards the marked paths, ignoring the riches that are nevertheless within their reach.

This is the whole point of Cloches et Clochers, to open your eyes so that you can understand the history of which churches are precious markers.

This church was originally dedicated to Our Lady. A papal bull from Pope Lucius III dated June 8, 1182, attests to this. Therefore, this religious building was constructed before the end of the 12th century, probably in the 11th century. The village then belonged to the diocese of Ventimiglia.

In 1258, Charles of Anjou, Count of Provence, conquered the western part of Liguria, thus expanding his territories. A deed from January 29, 1274, dedicates the church of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin to Saint Margaret. Saint Margaret was completely renovated under the reign of Prince Honorรฉ III in 1618, during which Roquebrune and Menton were possessions of the Monegasque sovereigns.

Another restoration took place in the 18th century. On the 1st of Frimaire, Year III of the Republic, the church’s goldsmithery was sent to be melted down by the decision of the convention. From 1848 to 1850, Roquebrune, like Menton, was a free city under the protection of the Savoy and would become part of France in 1861. In 1882, Monsignor Grana undertook a significant restoration. Saint Margaret was adorned with paintings and sculptures of artistic and historical interest. A bust represents King Henry IV of France; did he visit this village, or was he a benefactor?

The altar of Our Lady of the Rosary is the last witness of a 15th-century confraternity of women whose headquarters was the Saint Lucia chapel, decommissioned in 1799. Another altar, dedicated to Our Lady of the Snows, was erected in 1467 in gratitude for the end of the plague epidemic.

Since then, every August 5th, the people of Roquebrune, in recognition, recreate the Passion of Jesus Christ. A reproduction of Michelangelo’s Last Judgment from the Sistine Chapel was given in 1882 by Monsignor Grana, a native of Roquebrune. This prelate was at the Vatican as the secretary of Cardinal Antonelli.

The altar of Saint Anthony and its painting of the Assumption are said by some historians to evoke the lineage of the Counts of Ventimiglia, related to Saint Anthony’s mother, born in this town on the banks of the Roya. One may notice the mosaic paving from 1776 on the forecourt.

As is often the case, the passerby is too rushed to discover the old stones and their history; they pass by without looking, without listening, and move away towards the marked paths, ignoring the riches that are nevertheless within their reach. This is the whole point of Cloches et Clochers, to open your eyes so that you can understand the history of which churches are precious markers.

Thierry Jan

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