Why these false images of a church in Caen make you fantasize
Through Marjorie Janetaud
Published on
Fake images of Saint-Etienne-le-Vieux church have been circulating on the internet for years. The last one was posted on November 12, 2021. Presented as an extraordinary place of beauty, the true church of Caen (Calvados) much less invites poetry. Explanations.
An unmissable place to visit for Urbex fans
Closed to the public, the Saint-Etienne-le-Vieux church which faces the Abbaye-aux-Hommes nourishes great fantasies, in particular those of fans of urbex (urban exploration). They think of the church as one of the must-see places to visit and don’t hesitate to post fake images of the so-called church of Caen on social media. And this is nothing new. For at least ten years, a photo of a ruined church, in which nature has reclaimed its rights, have been circulating on social networks. The best known and which was still circulating a few days ago on Twitter, it is this very mysterious church in which a river flows and where we see a dancer. The reality is quite different and here is why.
A stream and a dancer
The Disaffected – The Church of Saint-Etienne-le-Vieux, Caen pic.twitter.com/mF8aS7Mupr
– Fan2 (@ Fan2retour) November 12, 2021
The photo regularly posted on social media is a photomontage by Jurg Roessen, a Dutch photographer. He used four images to make this shot that makes you fantasize so much. The images of Bourges cathedral, a landscape, a river and a dance hall have been juxtaposed to create this photomontage which does not really represent either the Bourges cathedral or the Saint-Etienne church. the old.
First of all, no there is no stream in the Saint-Etienne-le-Vieux church. Then, it is hard to see a dancer moving around in this very poor Caen church. And then, looking closely at the stained glass windows, the shape and the colors have absolutely nothing to do with the romantic image that circulates on social networks.
A story that is not romantic
The Saint-Etienne-le-Vieux church is one of the oldest in Caen and has been abandoned since the Revolution. And the rest of his story is not romantic. This church was used for a long time as a road depot and was partly destroyed during the Battle of Caen by an Allied aerial bombardment on June 6 afternoon. Then, it was again affected by the bombardments of German artillery in July 1944. It was consolidated after the war, but cannot be visited.
It is now the subject of a study to ascertain its condition and consider rehabilitation in the more or less long term.
Yes, nature reclaims its rights …
Recommended for Urbex fans on many internet and social networks, the reality of the church is therefore likely to destroy all the dreams of photographers … “Its sanitary condition no longer allows its access for filming and shooting” , warns the City of Caen. Even if the gap, despite a chain and a padlock, suggests that it is visited, its access remains prohibited.
As for the nature which would have taken again its rights there, according to the inflamed comments which one can read, “for some years, the church is the kingdom of the pigeons and also their cemetery. »Nature has effectively taken back its rights …
Another image is also circulating on social networks. This time, it is the chapel of Vic located in Conques in the Aveyron.
Christian heritage in danger. I am indignant at the sad fate reserved for the Saint-Étienne-le-Vieux church (Caen) pic.twitter.com/Ch5Mn0Y4Y1
– Karim Ouchikh (@OuchikhKarim) July 14, 2016
Very poetic, too.
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