A Unesco-listed medieval church was damaged by fire in France
The Church of Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand in Poitiers (Vienne), a medieval monument and UNESCO World Heritage site, was the target of an arson attack on October 3, resulting in significant material damage and harm to works of art.
According to tradition, the 10th-century church was constructed over the tomb of Saint Hilaire, who passed away in the 4th century. A formal investigation into “deliberate damage to a place of worship” has been launched by the local prosecutor.
The fire, which broke out mid-morning, “caused no casualties and did not compromise the building’s structure or roof, but led to extensive material damage,” stated Jean-Marie Girier, prefect of the Vienne department, in a press release. Over 20 firefighters were required to extinguish the blaze, which persisted throughout the day due to the “high density of smoke.”
Poitiers town hall expressed concern over a series of recent acts of vandalism at various churches in the city, calling for urgent action: “It is crucial to put an end to these repeated acts of vandalism in Poitiers’ churches (Saint Porchaire, Sainte Thérèse, Montierneuf).”
Source: leparisien.fr
