Basil Sacré Coeur - Catholic church in Paris, built in 1875-1914 by the project of the architect Paul Abadi in the Roman-Byzantine style, located on the top of the Montmartre hill, at the highest point of the city.
The Sacré Coeur Basilica, literally the “Basilica of the Sacred Heart”, is a bizarre imitation of a Byzantine church, the tower and snow-white dome of which became an integral part of the Paris skyline.
The Sacre-Coeur Cathedral (Basilique du Sacre Coeur) was erected at the end of the 19th century on the initiative of the Catholic Church, which wanted to atone for the "crimes" of the Paris Commune.
The height of the cathedral is almost the same as that of the Eiffel Tower, so reconciliation the city is visible in full view, surrounded by hills, with high-rise buildings in the southeastern part, at the heights of Belleville suburb and in the west in the quarter of Défense. The structure towering in the very center of the city is the Montparnasse tower, and behind it, at some distance, are the tall buildings of the southern suburbs.
Today, if you get to the gate of the Basilica of Sacré Coeur by a staircase or a funicular, you can watch the wonderful panorama of one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Paris appears before the tourist in all its beauty ..
Particularly impressionable people can not hold back an enthusiastic sigh, looking at an unusual temple, in which at least three different directions intertwined. But especially striking is the shape of the domes and the height of the main one - 83 m. Similar ones can be found in Perigueux on the basilica of the XII century.
Go up the stairs or on the funicular, and at the main entrance on the facade you will be greeted by two bronze horse figures: on the right, Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans), and on the left - St. Louis.
Above, under the very dome, as a hospitable host, Jesus Christ, welcoming from the same material as the building, welcomes pilgrims at the threshold of his house.
Adjacent to the sanctuary is a high 100-meter-high bell tower, within which a unique, impressive Savoyar dominates among the family of bells, weighing 19 tons, where 850 kg fall on its tongue only. It is considered the largest in Paris and one of the largest in the world, and created this miracle in 1891 in the eastern French province of Annecy. From the bottom you can not see, but if you go up to the observation deck of the cathedral, it is easy to see the winged mythological creatures, who were seated at the very top, and the angels at the corners of the building, holding the tablets in their hands.
Crossing the threshold, you immediately plunge into the majestic, but welcoming atmosphere of the basilica. The first thing that attracts the eye is a wonderful mosaic in azure-gold hues under the very vault - the Adoration of the Sacred Heart of Christ and the blessing of France. Painter Luc-Olivier Merson worked on a large-scale composition from 1912 to 1922.
Surrounded by colorful stained glass windows, sculptural compositions of saints, heartfelt painting and streams of light pouring inside, one involuntarily feels the solemnity of the moment, as if the touch of the Holy Spirit brought tranquility, lightness, joy, and an understanding of the transience of our life throughout the universe.
Hearts are filled with special joy during the service, when the choir's singing smoothly merges with the sounds of an old organ that fills the whole inner space and penetrates into the most distant corners of the soul. This body is the oldest and largest in the world, and in itself is a valuable treasure of France.
Having enjoyed the magnificent architecture of the hall and filled with piety after visiting the service with its choir and organ music, you can visit the crypt, going down under the altar part. Here priceless church artifacts are exhibited, and the majestic statue of Christ makes it possible once again to approach and worship the Savior with a blazing heart for all of humanity.
Today, Montmartre is very popular among tourists who come here specifically to admire the luxurious basilica, surprising with its ever-white bride's attire.
Already from the square next to the temple there is a beautiful view of Paris, and to see it in full view, climb the spiral staircase of 300 steps to the very top under the dome of the building, and you will have a panorama of 50 km around.
The observation deck has an original decoration with ornaments and small sculptures that adorn even the gutters, disguised with heads of outlandish animals and gargoyles, and the steel wrought-iron door emerged as if it had emerged from the Middle Ages. I wonder what is behind it?
Right there on the terrace you will find a telescope, which looks like defiant evidence of modernity next to the stunning old stone wall decor of Sacre Coeur. And although it does not fit into the surroundings, but allows you to see all the details of Paris, hidden in the haze beyond the horizon.
If you go around the dome in a circle, you can admire an amazing view of different parts of the capital. From above you can clearly see the La Défense commercial district, the Perth church, the most stylish yoke - the Eiffel Tower, the Montparnasse skyscraper and the Tetr Square, which is the most stylish among the little houses.
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