Church at Ciabas

Church at Ciabas. . This church duplicates one of the oldest structures in the Waldensian Valleys, and is considered the oldest protestant church in the world. First constructed in 1555, it was the first church built from the ground up for protestant worship. Though destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, this temple still stands today and is an excellent example of the churches the Waldensians built during the years of persecution., Like many of the early churches this one has no bell tower because edicts strictly forbade Waldensians to call people together for worship. Eventually these churches were built like fortresses to serve as a place of refuge during times of siege. Thick walls, tapered windows for shooting out of, and strategically placed spikes and bars protecting the windows were all defense mechanisms. The circular window above the entrance could have been used to pour hot oil on soldiers trying to break in., As the Waldensians grew more openly defiant in their stand against the Medieval Church, persecution grew more devastating. From 1487 to 1689 the Waldensians fought thirty-three wars to defend their faith. Wave after wave of marauding soldiers swept through the Valleys-pillaging, burning, raping, killing. No village or hamlet in the Piedmont escaped martyrdom. But the more zealous the attacks, the more the Waldensian faith seemed to flourish.