A remarkable piece of history has resurfaced in the heart of Vence. During renovations on a historical building, workers unearthed the remains of what is believed to be the city’s first cathedral, which could date to the 5th century. This unexpected discovery, which measures over 300m², could shed new light on the early ecclesiastical history of the region.
The discovery of a long-hidden—and long-forgotten—cathedral in Vence earlier this month has caused quite a stir. As workers dug down through the floor of the dated Halles Surian building, which is being transformed into a modern market-like facility, they uncovered the remains of a vast structure believed to be more than 1,500 years old.
“The archaeological remains appeared immediately below the current traffic level,” confirms a spokesperson for the city of Vence. “The building, which measures over 300 m², has a rectangular plan, 30 metres long and 11.50 metres wide, with two apses at the eastern end.”
Experts from the Archaeology Department of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis were promptly alerted, and their preliminary assessment suggests that these remains belong to an Early Christian cathedral, possibly constructed during the episcopate of Severus, the first recorded bishop of Vence, who was mentioned in written sources dating to 439 CE.
“It is a major discovery for both regional and ecclesiastical history,” reads a statement released by city authorities. “The Municipality nevertheless remains extremely vigilant regarding the discovery of a major and exceptional historical heritage. Vence, a historic city, boasts an extremely rare, centuries-old site.”
Until now, historical records indicated that Vence’s first cathedral was located beneath the town’s current religious building, around 50 metres to the north of the Halles Surian site. The new find challenges previous assumptions and offers fresh insights into the early development of Christian worship in the area.
Despite the magnitude of the discovery, officials have stated that it will not jeopardise the Halles Surian project, which remains on track: “At this stage, this discovery does not call into question the feasibility of the future Surian Halls project, which is scheduled for completion in late 2025.”
As excavation and analysis continue, this ancient cathedral could provide a wealth of information about the spread of Christianity in the region and the architectural innovations of the time.
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Photos source: Ville de Vence