Building Name: | St. Martin's Church, Ahetze French: église Saint-Martin d'Ahetze Basque: San Martin eliza (Ahetze) |
Location: | Ahetze, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France |
Geo: | 43.4058°N -1.5714°W |
Religious Affiliation: | Roman Catholic Church |
Rite: | Roman |
Province: | Diocese of Bayonne, Lescar and Oloron |
Status: | Parish church |
Functional Status: | Active |
Architecture: | yes |
Architecture Type: | church |
Groundbreaking: | 16th century |
St. Martin's Church is a Roman Catholic parish church in Ahetze, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France. It is dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours. It was registered as an official Historical Monument on June 5, 1973.[1]
St. Martin Church is located at a crossing point of the Way of St. James. Its construction started in the 16th century. It contains an 18th-century wooden statue of St. James[2] in pilgrim clothing, an 18th-century statue of the Assumption of Mary,[3] an 18th-century altarpiece[4] and a 15th-century processional cross.[5] The arms of this cross are garnished with small bells. During a witch trial in 1609, this cross was considered as a diabolical object by Councillor Pierre de Lancre.[6]
The cemetery of the church features a . Another stele from Ahetze is exhibited at the .