Tours is a beautiful city of the Loire ! Initially, we came by here practically passing by city center and as time went by we started to stop in the city with nice memorable moment for my family. For info historical Tours in the Indre et Loire dept 37 of the Centre Val de la Loire region of my belle France. I, again, found me older pictures in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me, Do read my other posts on the city in my blog, Therefore, I like to tell you more about the Basilica Saint Martin of Tours, part III !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.
The Basilica Saint Martin of Tours is a former collegiate Church of St. Martin de Tours, built on the tomb of Saint Martin, found in 1860 and sheltered in a crypt that still attracts numerous pilgrims. It is now essentially from the 11C, was decommissioned, vandalized and transformed into a stable in 1793, during the French revolution, then demolished following the collapse of the vaults in 1797, only two towers being kept. The present Basilica, much more modest, was built between 1886 and 1902 in the Neo-Byzantine style.
The Basilica Saint Martin de Tours is dressed in a particularly sculpted facade and is distinguished by its neo-byzantine architectural style. By crossing the doors of the Saint-Martin de Tours , you will fall in love with its luminous interior, On the left as on the right, the central nave is bordered by sumptuous round massive gray marble pillars. Magnificent sculptures embellish the capitals supporting the arches leading to the choir. Installed above the old crypt and the tomb of Saint-Martin, the choir is illuminated by the windows of the dome on the pendants which overlook it. Other elements add charm inside the basilica such as the great altar, the badges of the minor basilicas, the stained glass windows retracing the life of Saint-Martin or the organ. The basilica has a very beautiful glass roof relating the life of Saint Martin and all the events which revolve around the old collegiate church. It is of modern graphics, but inspired by the Romanesque and produced at the end of the 19C.
The Basilica Saint Martin of Tours has a very beautiful historiated canopy of stained glass at the first level of elevations, See the Charlemagne comes to Tours to be under the protection of Saint Martin. In the center, the monk Alcuin bows down in front of the tomb of the saint so that the fire stops which threatens the basilica. At the top, the saint’s shrine was put in a safe place in Chablis during the Norman invasions in the 10C before returning to Tours. After the battle of Tolbiac, Clovis comes to the collegiate church to convert to Christianity. In the middle, Saint Geneviève comes to meditate on the tomb of the Holy. Above, Saint Clotilde, after the death of Clovis, her husband, withdrew to Tours. A deaf-mute is healed in her presence. Saint Martin fights paganism and evangelize the countryside. The pagans attach him to a sacred pine that he wants to have slaughtered. The pine is shot down without the saint to experience the slightest harm. In the middle, he is still concerned about the poor. One day, when he serves Mass, a globe of fire appears above him as a sign of charity. Indeed he secretly comes to give his tunic to a poor.
Above, the medallion illustrates the death of Saint Martin in Candes,(see post) on November 8, 397. Candes is a parish which he himself created. His disciples are present to continue his work of evangelization.
The crypt with the tomb of Saint Martin de Tours in the center. The walls of the crypt are covered with ex-voto. Note that the capitals of the pillars are more sober than those of the nave. The tomb of Saint Martin , a reconstruction is placed just above where the relics were preserved, all in mosaics. In addition to the relics that you can discover via the openings, you will appreciate the rich ornamentation of the tomb, between the pediment decorated with cross, the carved wooden capitals or the ten columns with bronze capitals. We noted in the footsteps on the ground of the old foundations of the primitive church and the many ex-voto (offering in thanks for a granted prayer) to the walls.
Saint-Martin is one of the most famous bishops in Tours. His tomb is sheltered by the crypt of the Basilica. For the record, Martin was buried in a public cemetery in the year 397. In 437, a small chapel was built on the tomb, replaced by a basilica dedicated in 471. After several fires, the monument was the object each time of a restoration. In 1014, the basilica was rebuilt and the tomb moved to the east. Another reconstruction was made in 1050 after a new fire. In 1582, the church was the victim of looting. At this time, only part of the relics of Saint-Martin was saved from the fire. In 1797, the local Tourangeaux once again faced the destruction of the church with in particular the collapse of the vaults. On December 14, 1860, Mr Léon Papin-Dupont acquired land near the site and found the tomb of the Saint under a house, at the southern corner. The construction of the current basilica began in 1887. Its consecration was carried out in 1925.
The Official Basilica Saint Martin: https://www.basiliquesaintmartin.fr/
The Touraine Loire Valley tourist office on the Basilica Saint Martin: https://www.touraineloirevalley.co.uk/cultural-heritage/saint-martin-basilica-tours/
The Central Loire Valley tourist office on Tours: https://www.loirevalley-france.co.uk/outings/city-visits/tours-ville-dart-et-dhistoire-heart-loire-valley
There you go folks ,in addition to a nice City, the basilica is a must to see ; the history of France, Europe and the world is inside indeed ; we love it, Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Basilica Saint Martin of Tours, part III !!! as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 