Saint-Omer, ville d'art et d'histoire...
The Cathedral Our-Lady
The most beautiful cathedral of the North of France. Outline drawing of Latin cross, length 105 meters; Width of the transept 53 meters; height under the voutes 23 meters; Height of the tower 51 meters. VIIe century Origin: towards 637, Otmar (or Omer) is sent by king Dagobert for évangéliser the area. Helped by Momelin, Bertin, Ebertram, they install their monastery close to Aa, with the medium of the marshes and establish the cemetery on the hill for reasons of healthiness. On this site, Saint Omer raises a wood vault.
IXe century Separation between the monastery of in bottom, which becomes the Saint-Bertin abbey, and the sanctuary of in top, where settles a college of canons. XIe century 1033, the collegial one is destroyed by fire. XIIe century Rebuilt at the time Romance, it is again burnt. Only, remains the vault open to the east of the northern brace. XIIIe century Beginning of Gothic construction. The chorus is high on three levels with triforium and high windows. Construction of the octagonal tower southern side.
XIVe century the southern transept is prolonged of two spans. The gate of the last judgement is moved. XVe century the great nave is finished. The Romance tower, of square plan, is repaired blind arcades, it ends in a confined terrace of turrets. Arc-paring support the central vessel.
XVIe century 1553, destruction of Thérouanne per Charles-Quint. The great diocese is shared into three: Ypres, Boulogne and Saint-Omer. The collegial one becomes cathedral. XVIIIe century A the Revolution, it is used as store of fodder for the army. Furniture engraved Flagstones and rules of Our-Lady of the Miracles of XIIIe century, large God of Thérouanne, tombs of Saint-Omer and Saint-Erkembode, astronomical clock, marble fences of XVIIe century, Deposition of Rubens, organ case of XVIIIe century, head of work of the Piette brothers. Restoration of the organ by Cavaille-coll in XIXe century. New restoration in 1988.