Saint Nicolas Tower (1384) along with the Lantern tower and the Chain tower, is one of the three medieval towers guarding the port in La Rochelle, France. In 1879 the French government classified it as a Monument historique (MH).[2]
| Saint Nicolas Tower | |
|---|---|
| Native name La tour Saint-Nicolas (French) | |
 Saint Nicolas Tower | |
| Location | La Rochelle, France |
| Nearest city | La Rochelle |
| Coordinates | 46°09′21″N 01°09′25″W / 46.15583°N 1.15694°W |
| Height | 138 feet (42 m) |
| Original use | Gateway to the Old Port of La Rochelle |
| Architectural style(s) | Medieval |
| Governing body | Building managed by the CMN (Center des Monuments Nationaux) |
| Owner | Government |
| Website | la-rochelle |
History
editThe Saint Nicolas Tower was named after the patron saint of sailors, This tower along with the Chain Tower (La tour de la Chaîne) stood at the entryway to the Port of La Rochelle. At times throughout history a chain was stretched between the two buildings to stop ships from entering. the building was also used as a prison throughout its history.[3] The tower looks as it did in the 1400s.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "The Chain Tower". frenchmoments.eu. French Moments Ltd. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ Base Mérimée: Saint-Nicolas tower, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)
- ^ "The Saint Nicolas Tower (La tour Saint-Nicolas)". poitou-charentes-vendee.com. Poitou Charentes Vendee. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
External links
edit
Media related to Tour Saint-Nicolas (La Rochelle) at Wikimedia Commons
- Saint-Barthélémy bell-tower at Structurae
- La Rochelle et Son Histoire: Tours (in French)
- Église paroissiale Saint-Barthélemy à La Rochelle (in French)
- Photos, French Ministry of Culture