Built
during a time of change, both for Paris
and for Europe, the Basilique du Sacré
Couer was to be a place for the spirit
in the middle of what was fast becoming
one of the most intense cities in the
world. The name signifies " mount
of martyrs " because by tradition
it is the place of the martyrdom of Saint
Denis, the first bishop of Paris, and
his companions. Before the Basilique was
built a Benedictine Abbey occupied the
site. This changed during the French Revolution,
at which date the nuns were guillotined
and the Abbey destroyed.
In 1870 it was proposed to construct a
church to the Sacred Heart on the butte
Montmartre. Although originally the fund
raising was to be drawn from conscripts,
the National Assembly declared its construction
to be a public affair. Of the 78 entries
in the competition for its design, the
one chosen was by the architect named
Abadie. He was already well known for
his restoration of the St-Front Cathedral
in Périgueux.
From
in front of the Basilica, you can gain
a fantastic panoramic view of almost all
of the city of Paris. From the dome (at
a height of 200 meters) one can see for
almost 50 kms in every direction. It is
the highest point in Paris after the Eiffel
Tower. Completed in 1914, it was not consecrated
until 1919 after World War I had ended.
The final cost would come out to be more
than 40 million francs. Since 1885, there
has been a constant stream of worshipers
coming to the site; The Basilique du Sacré
Coeur is considered to be a place of pilgrimage.
The interior of the church contains one
of the world’s largest mosaics,
showing a fantastic view of Christ with
outstretched arms. The nearby bell tower
contains the ``Savoyarde'' bell. Cast
in 1895, it is one of the worlds heaviest
at 19 tons.
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