“The Italians call it their church”, the old woman whispered, her eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. We stood before the Chapelle Saint-François de Sales, its Italian-inspired architecture a surprise amidst the French charm of Annecy. The Chapelle Saint-François de Sales, she explained, wasn’t always this serene. Built in 1614, it served as the first resting place of Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jane de Chantal, founders of the Visitation Order. The ornate interior, designed to awe visiting royals, still whispers of their legacy. But the French Revolution saw the Chapelle Saint-François de Sales stripped of its sacred duty. The relics of the saints were moved, the building repurposed into a military barracks, then a canvas factory. Imagine the clatter of looms replacing the hushed prayers, the scent of paint eclipsing the fragrance of incense. Yet, the Chapelle Saint-François de Sales endured. Restored to its religious purpose in 1923, it stands today as a testament to resilience, its beauty a beacon across the centuries.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to