Church of Saint Maurice (Ebersmunster)

Church of Saint Maurice
Abbatiale Saint-Maurice d'Ebersmunster Église Saint-Maurice d'Ebersmunster
Country	France
Denomination	Roman Catholic Church
Architecture
Heritage designation	Monument historique
Designated	1898
Architect(s)	Peter Thumb
Style	Baroque architecture
Completed	1727
Specifications
Length	68.9 m (226 ft)
Width	25 m (82 ft)
Height	47.8 m (157 ft)

The (former) Abbey church Saint Maurice (French: Abbatiale Saint-Maurice) is the main attraction of the village of Ebersmunster near Sélestat, Alsace. The church completed in 1727, the work of Vorarlberg architect Peter Thumb, is considered one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in France.

Saint Maurice served as the abbey church of a now defunct Benedictine monastery, founded in the 7th century and belonging to the oldest in Alsace. The relatively plain exterior of the building, construction of which was started in the late 17th century to replace a much older predecessor, is related in its rectangular floor plan to a medieval form of architectural language and indicates nothing of the richness of the interior design and furnishing. These are largely the work of Tyrolean artists: the ceiling paintings (1730–1733), with depictions of the legends of Maurice and of Benedict are by Josef Mattes (nave) and Joseph Mages (chorus, transept, crossing); the choir and confessionals were also made by Tyrolians. Some Alsatians and Germans were however involved in the design of the bright and colorful interior: The expressive Samson pulpit (see also St. George's Church, Sélestat) is a work by Clemens Winterhalder and the mighty main altar (1728) one by Jean-Léonard Meyer from Sélestat The other altars are works by Anton von Wihl, from Sélestat, and Anton Ketterer, from Colmar.

...
Wikipedia