Add a review about the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere

The amazing church on the Fourviere hill is visible from afar and from any distance attracts a glance . This neo-Byzantine building with Gothic elements was erected in the late 19th century and is strikingly different from the medieval churches French cities . Architectural style, the location on top of the hill above the city and the history of construction after the Prussian invasion of the basilica is reminiscent of Sacre Coeur in Paris . The construction of the church lasted more than 10 years on the site where formerly yala church destroyed during the Huguenot Wars . From the old church today there is only one tower with a chapel inside, and at its top you can see a gilded statue of Our Lady of the 19th century .

The first church in place of the basilica appeared in the 12th century, and she stood on the ruins of an ancient Roman forum, built at Trajan. After the destruction in the 16th century, the chapel slowly fell into decay, so in the first half of the 19th century it was necessary to disassemble it almost entirely and rebuild, which took about 15 years.

The interior of the basilica is so rich that finally all the mosaics and sculptures, stained glass, marble statues, stucco molding and gilding, decorating literally every centimeter of the inner surface, were completed only in 1964

In 1643 ., during the monstrous epidemic of plague, the head of the city in the tower-chapel of Fourviere Church offered the prayer of Our Lady of Protection city ​​. Strange obr Zion Lyons really did not suffer much, and since then the annual Light Festival has been held in the city. . A similar story occurred in 1870 ., when the city authorities prayed to the Mother of God about getting rid of the invasion of the Prussians . The Virgin Mary was promised a new church, and the troops of Bismarck really left Lyon . As soon as the war was over, the inhabitants of the city began to collect money for the construction of a new church Notre Dame . And at the top of the tower in gratitude to the Virgin Mary was installed a statue of Our Lady .

Notre- Dame de Fourviere

Appearance of the basilica, origin which was designed by Pierre Bossan, was thought through on the basis of Romanesque and Byzantine models, and not Gothic, which was unusual for that time. Bossan worked on design projects while living in Palermo, before it was generally decided to build a Lyons church. In the final version, there were four main towers in addition to a separate bell tower. In fact, the church complex consists of two churches, the upper and lower. The first one is very beautifully trimmed, while the lower one looks more modest

For four cylindrical towers, local people sometimes disrespect the basilica with the upside down elephant turned upside down.

The interior of the basilica is undoubtedly worth a look. It is so rich that finally all the mosaics and sculptures, stained-glass windows, marble statues, stucco and gilding, decorating literally every centimeter of the inner surface, were completed only in 1964. Under the main room is the unusually large Crypt Saint Jean.

To the basilica adjoins the terrace, which offers an amazing panoramic view of the city and the cathedral. The best view can be viewed by those who climb up to 287 steps to the basilica observatory

At the church there is a museum of religious art with a permanent exposition of items from the basilica treasury. Among them - the work of Parisian jewelers and artists, gold items, rich sewing and precious stones. Some of the exhibits are still used in especially solemn divine services. There are also temporary exhibitions in the museum where they represent the treasures of the Christian heritage, not only French.

Practical information

Address: Place de Fourviere, 8.

Opening times: Basilica is open daily: 8:00 - 19: 00. The museum of the treasury is open daily 10:00: - 12:30 and 14:00 - 17:30.