12-13th century Notre Dame La Grande church, Poitiers, Vienne, France.
The main part of the building was built in the XIth century and the façade, in the XIIth century. In the XVth and XVIth centuries, chapels were added (in the south of the choir, the biggest, the chapel of le Fou, is dateable to 1475). It was damaged during the wars of religion (1562-1569). It is then that several statues of the façade were beheaded. In 1840, it was listed as an Historical Monument. Restorers of the XIXth century were very keen on giving it back its original purity. It was freed from the houses and shops that hid it, repainted inside and the façade was strengthened. Since this period, bad weather, pollution and years have marked it again. It became urgent to save the façade and its beautiful sculpture of which some of which were painted. The latest restorations (early 90s) have combined micro-sandblasting and laser cleaning techniques.
Size: 3417px × 5144px
Location: Poitiers, Vienne, France.
Photo credit: © Ed Buziak / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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