Sacre Coeur Church
Who goes to Paris and is not going to visit the Basilica of Sacre Coeur can say that got for nothing in the French capital. The place of worship whose construction was completed in 1914 is very nice and interesting. And we are not just talking about the interior, but also about the outside and the extraordinary panorama over Paris.
Construction of the basilica, designed in Roman-Byzantine style, was initiated on June 16, 1875 by the architect Paul Abadie, who won a competition involving 77 other architects. As things have delayed and Abadie died, the project was finished, but also modified by other architects. Place of worship was built on Montmartre (Mount of Martyrs), the place full of history, where the Druids, Gauls, Romans raised temples dedicated to gods or where was rebuilt the Royal Abbey or the St. Peter Church.
Another great aspect of this place, which is second in France in terms of number of visitors (about 2 million per year), is the rock from which it built. It is the Chateau-Landon limestone which has unusual physical characteristics: no deal with any smoke or dust and maintains the original shine.
According to Abadie’s plans, the foundation was poured in June 1875, when the 33 meters high underground pillars of resistance were built . They have become the feet that support the building. In 1878 works have began for the tomb building, and in 1881, for the basilica. Although construction was completed in 1914, only at the end of World War I was open to the public.
If you want to climb the dome of the church, be sure to keep you feet, because a spiral staircase is waiting you with 299 steps. Moreover, if you have fear of heights, think twice before boarding.
When you enter Sacré Coeur, behave properly, construction being, after all, a place of worship. Photographing is prohibited, or rather, not recommended, there are several panels that asks you to give up this habit in the church.
Moreover, from the roughly 300 meters above sea level, Sacre Coeur offers the most beautiful view of the French capital, except of course for the Eiffel Tower. White, with an aspect that is more like a mosque than a church, Sacre Coeur is the last place of worship in France that was built on public subscription base. Basilica was built in St. Pierre market, as a sign of atonement after the defeat of the Prussians in 1870 and is only dedicated to Jesus. In fact, legend says that his heart is preserved in the crypt.
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