During the 9th century, Paris became a major Christian pilgrimage site under the influence of Saint Genevieve, who persuaded religious officials to erect a chapel on the Montmartre knoll in honor of Saint Denis. Even the name of the area reflects its status in the early medieval period as a place of importance to pilgrims: "Montmartre", of course, means "Mount Martyr". In the 12th century, the first major church in Paris, L'Eglise Saint-Pierre, was built not far from the present-day Basilica, next to the long-lost Benedictine Abbey of Montmartre.
Destroyed during the French Revolution of , all that remains of the Abbey is a vineyard, now used to celebrate an annual wine harvest each year the Vendanges de Montmartre. Following several tumultuous revolutions, the area once again was elected for a new major site of Catholic worship-- but only a war between France and Germany that broke out in spurred its construction.
The Franco-Prussian War and the "Commune" Revolution in were both bloody, messy affairs that left relations between France, Germany, and the Vatican in shambles for a variety of complex reasons. Catholic leaders in France decided, in response, to build a new place of worship in Paris as symbolic penance for these years of violence and disarray, and Montmartre was chosen for the erection of a new minor basilica.
With design entrusted to Paul Abadie, construction started in , but the project took years: the basilica in its finished state only opened in the same year that World War I broke out.
This was a touch ironic, for a site constructed as a symbol of peaceful repentance. It has more in common with sites such as the San Marco Basilica in Venice. The facade features two prominent equestrian statues that you should make note of: Joan of Arc on horseback, and King Saint Louis also in riding mode. Inside, heavy use of gold leaf and mosaics gives the basilica a rather "busy" quality-- not to the taste of all, but nevertheless very striking.
Light from the stained glass windows points attention toward the apse at the back. The original mosaics were completed in The stained glass windows are not the originals: these were unfortunately destroyed by bombs during World War II in , and subsequently restored. After the Eiffel Tower, the prominent Dome is the highest point in Paris: it's worth a climb for the incomparable views.
The Bell weighs an impressive 19 tons-- it's one of the world's heaviest and largest-- and was built in in the Alpine French city of Annecy. As mentioned earlier, many visitors never step foot inside the basilica at all, instead admiring the exteriors and enjoying photo ops, and above all taking advantage of remarkable panoramic views from the large terrace.
The Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Montparnasse tower, and many other major Parisian monuments can be spotted from there, on a clear day. On New Year's eve, this is a popular place to assemble to count down, and firework shows are often on the menu. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile.
However, my legs now feel like jello and ever since my visit to Montmartre, every time I see stairs in the subway I let out a small whimper. There are stairs everywhere! I even started counting them. Each staircase in the metro consists of around 20 steps. There are stairs to get into the station and stairs to get onto the platform. So each time someone takes the subway, they have to climb stairs to get into the station and onto the platform, and the same to get out.
And there are no escalators! Your only option is to take the stairs it really is a good form of exercise. So between hiking up the Arc de Triomphe, the towers at Notre Dame Cathedral and the dome of the Sacre Coeur, plus all the stairs in the subway, I must have climbed at least stairs within the past week. This city is kicking my butt! I know how you feel, but I would not have missed any of because there were stairs.
Not only are there stairs to everything we also walked kilometres to get there as well. Spent hours walking through the louvre then walked up to the Arc de Triomphe about 4 klms. Sleep well at night. Loved Paris. In , I took a quick vacation to Paris, and went to see Sacre Coeur. So yes, I walked all 90 steps plus the to the hill. Create a new lightbox Save. Create a lightbox Your Lightboxes will appear here when you have created some.
Save to lightbox. Sacred Heart Church is a popular tourist landmark. Paris, France - July 3, tourists climb up the steps leading to Basilica of Sacre Coeur de Montmartre in Paris in a sunny day with blue sky. Bottom view. Paris, France - July 3, many people on the stairs of Basilica of Sacre Coeur de Montmartre in Paris in a sunny day with blue sky. Paris Sacre Coeur.
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