The small town of Sauze, located around Nice, is home to the church Notre-Dame de la Colle. Unfortunately, this church is at risk of collapsing, so a request for donations has been made, and the collection will take place this Friday, December 8, in Nice.
The religious building was erected in the 13th century. An estimate dates its construction between 1280 and 1300. Its characteristically Romanesque style is well highlighted by its ancient bays, which give it its character. Its name, “Notre-Dame de la Colle titulaire,” was given after a pastoral visit that took place in 1785. Modifications have been made throughout its history, such as the addition of the west side portal in the 18th century and the erection of the bell tower in the 19th. However, the church is now at risk of collapsing, and urgent work is needed to preserve this piece of history that is this building.
A building on the edge
The bell tower is at risk of collapsing and requires urgent work. The closed spaces, roof, and interiors of the church need to be restored. But why is this bell tower so damaged? The main causes are issues with its foundation and geotechnical problems, causing irreversible damage to the bell tower. The bell tower threatens to collapse onto the buildings located below. Therefore, this is an urgent matter regarding the preservation of the cultural and religious heritage, as well as the safety of Sauze’s residents.
The restoration work is estimated at 640,000 euros, funded with the help of the State, the Department, and the Region, but the town still needs to cover 53,000 euros. This amount is too significant for this small town, which is why a call for donations has been made. The goal to start the work is 53,000 euros, which would allow for the beginning of work by the end of 2023. This initiative was launched by the Heritage Foundation, which aims to safeguard Romanesque architecture heritage built in France. The collection took place this Friday, December 8 at 2:30 PM at 20, bd Carabacel in Nice. However, you also have the possibility to support the work by clicking here.
