Eglise Saint-Jean-de-Malte (Church of St. John), Aix-en-Provence

Eglise Saint-Jean-de-Malte (Church of St. John), Aix-en-Provence

The Eglise Saint-Jean-de-Malte (Church of St. John) is located at the corner of Italy Street and Cardinal Street in Aix. It is the first Gothic Catholic Church in Provence. It dates from the 13th century, probably from around 1270. The site of the church was initially occupied by a hospice and chapel of the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of Malta.

In the 17th century, the parish was integrated into the city when the town ramparts were moved south to create the new Mazarin district. During the French Revolution, the church was looted of most of its treasures and converted into a military warehouse. Not until Napoleon appeared on the scene was the church restored to the parish.

The church's interior may be seen in Michelangelo Antonioni's 1995 film Beyond the Clouds. A new large window, installed in the apse in 1858, was designed by several artists of Aix. In the upper quatrefoils, God the Father blesses Count Ramon Berenguer IV and Beatrice of Provence. Below them are three Hospitallers of Malta.

The church restocked paintings since it was re-established. There is Sir Henry Pleading with the Virgin (1687) by Jean Armelin; The Annunciation (1678) by Andre Boisson; Resurrection (1610) by Louis Finson; Descent from the Cross (1612) by Andre Gaudion; Saint Bruno (1663) by Reynaud Levieux; The Crucifixion (1820) by Delacroix and many others.

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Eglise Saint-Jean-de-Malte (Church of St. John) on Map

Sight Name: Eglise Saint-Jean-de-Malte (Church of St. John)
Sight Location: Aix-en-Provence, France (See walking tours in Aix-en-Provence)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Aix-en-Provence, France

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Create Your Own Walk in Aix-en-Provence

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Aix-en-Provence Introduction Walking Tour

Aix-en-Provence is a city in southern France, about 30 km (or 20 mi) north of Marseille. Aix was founded by Roman Consul Sextius Calvinus in 123 BC. Calvinus called it Aquae Sextiae, which means "Waters of Sextius," after the warm springs in the area. During the Middle Ages, it was the capital of Provence.

Aix reached a high point after the 12th century as it began to emerge as a...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
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The nude New Olympia, seemingly a muse, reclines on her couch....  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
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The fountains appear throughout the city and are...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles