Pyrénées-Atlantiques A brief history... Christianized quite late, this ancient city was nonetheless the seat of a bishopric in the year 500. Destroyed by the Normans around 845, the town only emerged out of its ashes in the XIth century. The new bishops appointed to Oloron instigated the construction of the present cathedral, an important stopping-place for pilgrims on the way to Compostelle.

The cathedral's doorway

Romanesque treasures Sainte-Marie cathedral Last vestiges of the cathedral undertaken in 1122, the Romanesque doorway is included in the Unesco world heritage list. It includes two sculptured arch mouldings which, like a comic strip, reflect the imagination and daily activities of people living in the Middle Ages. The upper arch (representing heaven) shows the 24 elders of Revelation. The lower arch represents the earth. Sculptured people are shown hunting bears and wild boars, fishing and conserving fish and preparing food for a feast. The festivities are nonetheless disturbed by the presence of a monstrous mouth in the middle of the arch. At the centre of the tympanum Jesus is shown being taken down from the cross, a finely sculptured representation in white marble rarely seen in the Béarn. The pier is sculpted, with two chained people in Moorish wear supporting the central pillar. The rest of the building is in gothic style (XIIIth and XIVth centuries) and surmounted by a massive bell tower-cum-porch and two square towers.

Sainte-Croix church Austere and imposing, Sainte-Croix church (XIth - XIIth centuries) is located in a medieval-looking district which it dominates with its offset belfrey-type tower. Under the slate roof, the doorway is supported by two pillars whose capitals oppose, like a choice facing Christians, damnation or eternal life. Inside, other capitals represent scenes from the life of Christ, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, the Trinity and more. The cradle vault nave is of a typically Romanesque sobriety, but at the transept crossing, a ribbed cupola in the shape of an 8-pointed star is of Hispano-Moorish inspiration from beyond the Pyrenees.

		Information Office du Tourisme Place de la Résistance 64 400 Oloron-Sainte-Marie Phone: 05 59 39 98 00 Website: www.ot-oloron-ste-marie.fr Maison du patrimoine 52 rue Dalmais Phone: 05 59 39 98 00	Sainte-Croix church.