Aitre+St.+Maclou

= Aitre St. Maclou =

Aitre St. Maclou which is located on 186 rue Martainville, 76000 Rouen, France is a famous cemetery that had been used as a burial site since Roman times. Although used by Romans, this cemetery was pushed to its limits when the Black Plague killed off three-fourths of the area's population. The cemetery was running out of room so construction to expand began in the 1520's and ended in 1533. The new editions were ossuaries, which are room built above-ground to house the remains of people. Made from wood, they were decorated so that people would remember what was actually housed there. Some carvings included skulls, bones and even cult objects. There even was a mummified black cat that was built into the wall to ward off evil.

In 1705, the buildings were emptied and turned into a school for poor boys. It was next used as a fine arts school, which is still its present use, the Regional Fire Art School. Though off the usual tourists route, Aitre St. Maclou has been described by visitors as peaceful and beautiful. It has been well-preserved and even has a park like atmosphere.