The city of Vienne is full of beautiful architecture, wonderful history, and just plain beautiful facades to enjoy it for long. I was passing in my road warrior trip of my belle France and briefly got into City center We were by Lyon on a grand tour and read about its cathedral, so went for it, The city of Vienne is in the Isére department.38 of the Auvergne-Rhône Alpes region of my belle France. I like to tell you about our find there, the cathedral, Therefore, this is my take on the Cathédrale Saint-Maurice of Vienne !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The City of Vienne is about 26 km south of Lyon, 39 km from Saint-Etienne, 66 km from Valence, 90 km from Grenoble, 251 km from Marseille, 417 km from Paris, and 497 km from our old home of Versailles. The Cathédrale Saint-Maurice is the former cathedral of the Archdiocese of Vienne, mentioned in 314 and whose archbishopric was suppressed in 1790 during the French revolution. Until this date, the cathedral was also the seat of the primacy of the seven provinces. Today it is co-cathedral of the diocese of Grenoble-Vienne.
The main facade stands at one end of Place Saint-Maurice, at the top of a staircase. It is the most recent part of the cathedral, built between the 14C and the 16C, in the Gothic style. It has two towers, a large rose bay and launchers and three flamboyant, richly decorated style portals. The sculptures adorning the eardrums and the niches were destroyed during the wars of religion, but fortunately the rich sculptures of the wall are intact, The southern portal is characterized by the presence of musicians and prophets (end 14C). The northern portal is dedicated to the Virgin and also decorated with musicians, but also choristers who celebrate the coronation of the Mother of Christ (end 15C). Finally, the central portal dates from the end of the 15C and presents scenes from the Old and New Testament, prophets and kings. At the beginning ,note in particular statues personifying Ecclesia and Synagoga.
The Cathédrale Saint Maurice has three naves, without transept, the central nerf with three floors: large arcades, triforium and tall windows. The choir is raised compared to the nerf, to respect the slope of the field. The nerf is 90 meters long and 33 meters high. The total width of the cathedral is 33 meters. The cathedral has five bells arranged in the belfry of the North Tower.
The former cathedral of the diocese of Vienne, founded in the 5C and rebuilt between 1030 and 1070 approximately by the archbishop Léger. The construction of the current cathedral was undertaken in 1130 in the Romanesque style. From this time date the oldest parts, namely the part of the nave between the 5th and 11th spans. The construction continued in the 13C: the style then became Gothic, as evidenced by the choir, the beginning and the upper parts of the nave. In the north, a 14C portal includes a lintel representing griffins replaced by an ancient building. The north wall of the building is crowned by a series of richly carved arches from the 12C. The cathedral has three naves, without transept, the central nerf with three floors: large arcades, triforium and tall windows. The choir is raised compared to the nerf, to respect the slope of the field. The interior presents a beautiful harmony despite the four centuries of construction.
The Cathédrale Saint Maurice was built against the Rhône river, and until the 16C for the very spectacular facade. Although very damaged by the Huguenots during the wars of religion, then during the French revolution where she served as a hay attic, she kept her magnificent flamboyant Gothic style portals sculpted with evocative characters. Inside, beautiful stained glass and interesting furniture, including an ancient marble altar due to the Michelangelo sculptor Slodtz.
Many magnificent capitals inside are romanesque, some Roman columns occupy a chapel, the Flemish tapestry of the heart date from the 16C ,they illustrate the life and martyrdom of Saint-Maurice. The Cathédrale Saint Maurice has occupied the same site since the 4C, but no trace of construction prior to the 10C remains. The cathedral is devoted by Pope Innocent IV under the term of Saint-Maurice, April 20 1251. Construction continues until the 16C with in particular the elevation of the facade. The last stone was laid in 1529.
In 887, Boson, king of Burgundy, count of Vienne, Arles and Provence, is buried in the cathedral. An epitaph in the left side recalls this burial. On February 9, 1119: after being elected Pope in Cluny, the Archbishop of Vienne, Gui de Burgundy, is crowned in the cathedral. He took the name of Calixte II , From October 1311 to April 1312 ; the Council of Vienne summoned by Pope Clément V takes place in the cathedral. This council remained famous for ordering the removal of the Templars. In July 1548: The heart of the Dauphin François, son of François Ier, is deposited in the choir. A plaque in front of the altar symbolizes the location.
The official Cathédrale Saint Maurice of Vienne : https://www.cathedraledevienne.fr/
The Vienne Condrieu tourist office on the cathedral : https://en.vienne-condrieu.com/patrimoine-culturel/saint-maurice-cathedral-vienne/
The City of Vienne on its heritage sites : https://vienne.fr/nos-services/culture/patrimoine/
There you go folks, another wonder in my belle France indeed. It was a long road warrior trip and glad we stop by in Vienne, We shall be back eventually! Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Cathédrale Saint-Maurice of Vienne !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 