The architecture
/ The construction
· The architect is Paul ABADIE, but six architects succeeded him before the
building was completed.
· The style is Romano-byzantine,
that is to say in contrast with the gothic style of medieval
churches such as Notre Dame of Paris (1163-1240)
- The style was inspired by models such as Saint Sophia at Constantinople,
Saint Mark's at Venice or Ravenna.
Key dates:
-
1875 : Laying of the foundation stone, and then several months work on the
foundations : underpinning pits 33 meters deep are needed. Filled up, they
become the pillars on which the edifice rests. Without these pillars, the
Basilica would sink into the clay.- 1878 : Work begins on the crypt
- 1881 :Work begins on the Basilica itself
- 1914 : All is ready for the consecration including the tower containing the "Savoyarde" a 19 tons bell. But the First World War breaks out (1914-1918)
1919: Consecration on the 16th of October 1919
Interior:
Also in romano-byzantine style
The great mosaïc was created between 1900 and
1922.
The stained-glass windows were installed between 1903 and 1920.
They were destroyed by bombing in 1944 and restaured in 1946.
The great organ is by Cavaillé- Coll.
Dimensions :85 meters wide, 35 meters long.
The Dome is 83 meters high.
The Cupola is 55 meters high and 16 meters wide.
From in front of the Basilica, you can see the whole city of Paris. A visit
to the dome at a height of 200 meters above sea-level provides a panorama
of 50 kms all around. It is thus the highest point in Paris after the Eiffel
Tower (built in 1889!)
At its consecration, the church was titled a basilica, that is to say a
place of pilgrimage.
The Sacred Heart of Christ is worshipped there in the mystery of the Eucharist
(the mass).
The prayer of adoration is at the same time a preparation for and a continuation of the Eucharistic mystery.This prayer goes up night and day to God, a prayer for the Pope, the bishops and the Church, a prayer of request and of intercession for the world.
© 2001, Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre
Conception / Réalisation : ComQuest