La Baume-de-Transit - Sainte-Croix

The Eglise Sainte-Croix was erected outside the walls of La Baume-de-Transit as a funeral chapel. The cementary around the church still exists, but the church underwent a modification later.

When it was built in the 12th century this was a "round" church with four apses dedicated to the "Saint Sépulchre". I have seen similar "tetraconch" churches in Galliano (Lombardy) and Montmajour (Bouches-du-Rhône).

Here only three of the apses "survived", as in 1668 the northern apse was knocked down and got replaced by a nave. A clocher with three bells was added as well - and from then on the church was dedicated to Sainte-Croix.

The little sacristy, seen here, was probably "glued" onto the structure within the 19th century.