Église Saint-Martin-Saint-Augustin is located in the Podio, or Camas Soubran, district of Nice. Saint-Martin Church is described as one of the oldest churches in the lower town of Nice. A convent of the Augustinian Hermit Fathers was built outside the city walls in the 14th century, but the building was quickly ruined by wars affecting the region. In 1405, the Bishop of Nice and the cathedral chapter entrusted the Saint-Martin parish church to the Augustinian Fathers. The present church replaced a Gothic building and was rebuilt from 1636 for the Augustinian monks. Its construction continued throughout the 17th century and into the early 18th century. Earlier forms of the church are shown on a 1607 plan by Jean-Louis Baldoino, and a plan at the Bibliothèque nationale de France records the exterior before its 18th-century transformation. The church is listed as a historic monument since 9 April 1983. A plaster statue of Saint-Rita, dated to the 19th-20th century, is located in the first chapel on the left upon entering the church.

◎ Nearby Objects

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  Chapelle du Saint-Sépulcre 110 m away
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  Place Garibaldi 150 m away
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  Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi 150 m away
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  Chapelle de la Visitation Sainte-Claire 150 m away
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  National Theatre of Nice 200 m away

History and Architecture of Saint Martin-Saint Augustin

Saint-Martin Church is one of the oldest churches in the lower town of Nice, and it is located in the Podio or Camas Soubran district. A medieval church of Saint-Martin is shown on a 1607 plan by Jean-Louis Baldoino. In the 14th century, a convent of the Augustinian Hermit Fathers was built outside the city walls, but it was quickly ruined by wars that devastated the region. In 1405, the Bishop of Nice and the cathedral chapter entrusted the Saint-Martin parish church to the Augustinian Fathers.

The present church, which replaced a Gothic building, was rebuilt from 1636 for the Augustinian monks. An agreement was made with the stonecutters' brotherhood, which had a chapel in the church. Construction continued throughout the 17th century and into the early 18th century. A plan preserved at the Bibliotheque nationale de France shows the exterior before its 18th-century transformation. The church then featured a facade with a serliana, a triangular pediment, and two fairly low bell towers, while the left side elevation indicates its architectural style.

The church also has later devotional associations. Saint-Rita, now popularly and presently known in Nice as Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur, is represented by a plaster statue from the 19th to 20th century located in the first chapel on the left upon entering the church. Joseph Garibaldi was baptized here on 4 July 1807. The church has been listed as a historic monument since 9 April 1983.