Clocher trinitaire

A clocher trinitaire is a special form of the bell gable with three - mostly equally high - tips. Such gables are typical of churches in the Pays de Soule ( Basque : Xiberoa or Zuberoa ) in the French part of the Basque Country .

function

Most of the clochers trinitaires are bell gables. In a few examples there are no bells (any more), so that a church function is not recognizable and only a representative character remains.

architecture

In most cases, with the Clochers trinitaires, only the facade wall is extended upwards and ends in three points. In the church Saint Jacques-le-Majeur of Saint-Yaguen one of the tips is formed as a stone stair tower; the other two have wooden galleries on their backs through which the bells that were once probably present could be reached. Overall, however, the construction also has clear defensive aspects.

symbolism

Any symbolism of the three points is unclear. Some see them as a sign of the Trinity of God, others associate them with the Passion of Christ and see in them references to the three crosses on Mount Golgotha .