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Tournus Abbey: Chapel of St. Michael

Chapel of St. Michael

The 11th-century Chapel of St. Michael, looking northeast. The chapel is laid out just like the narthex below, but has a much higher ceiling (12.5m) and more light. It is the strongest part of the church and looks much like a castle with its strong masonry and arrow-slit windows (the ones visible from the west front). This chapel served not only as a spiritual sanctuary but also a place of refuge and defense during invasions, which were fairly frequent in the Middle Ages.

Credit: Holly Hayes