Today, I am going to talk to you about the Saint-Sernin Basilica, which is my favorite monument.
It is the biggest Romanesque church in Europe, together with the cathedrals of Speyer in Germany and Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
It has 260 Romanesque capitals.
It is the most visited monument in Toulouse, since in 2022 it welcomed 645 000 visitors.
It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, a part of the Way of Saint James de Compostela.
The history of its construction:
Its construction took place between 11th and 13th centuries.
It all began in the 3rd century, when Saint Saturnin established the first Christian community in " TOLOSA ", which is Toulouse in Occitan.
One day, unwilling to renounce his religion, Saint-Saturnin was about to leave when he was seized by pagans.
These pagans tied him to a bull that dragged him from a city gate to the Basilica.
This is how Saint Saturnin became the first Gallo-Roman martyr.
It was he who will be at the origin of the construction of the Basilica, where there is a sanctuary dedicated to Saint Saturnin.
The Saint-Sernin Basilica from the outside:
It has a 65-meter-high bell tower with 5 levels.
It is shaped like a cross, with the transept measuring 65 meters high and each arm having two apses.
It is built with terracotta bricks, typical of Toulouse, but it also features limestone and green-colored " marne " stone.
It has a nave that is 115 meters long.
In 1478, a spire with a Catholic cross at the top was added to the Basilica.
The Saint-Sernin Basilica from the inside:
Inside, there are 128 relics, including those of 6 apostles.
It is the second church in the world to have the most relics after the Vatican.
Inside, one can find flesh, chandeliers, numerous busts of saints and medieval wall paintings dating to 1180.
The Saint-Sernin Basilica has 24 bells.
The tomb of Saint Saturnin, " the Fires of Ecstasy", pictured in the first photo, was built by the sculptor " Marc Arcis " in a Baroque style with gold accents and marbles.
The sanctuary of Saint Saturnin is only open once a year, on November 29th.
It has the most beautiful orgen in the city, it was completed by the " Aristide Cavaillé-Coll house " in 1889.
It includes 3 458 pipes.
If you ever come to Toulouse, you will see the dates on the Toulouse blog's calendar, including the " Toulouse les Orgues " festival.
The city is the organ capital of Europe and hearing this organ being played is truly magnificent.
During the festival, organ concerts are held every evening in different churches throughout the city.
In the Southern part of the Basilica, there are two feet embedded in the wall, which belong to Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers.
In the Middle Ages, pilgrims used to kiss these feet before visiting the relics.
During that time, the Basilica became one of the largest pilgrimage centers in the West, due to Toulouse being a stop on " the Way of Saint James de Compostela ".
Aspect of the square in the Middle Ages:
During the Middle Ages, the square surrounding the Basilica was a town that was completely destroyed during the French Revolution.
Even the cloister did not resist this phenomenon of destruction.
Between 1804 and 1808, it was the French urban architect " Urbain Vitry ", who designed the new square.
In the 80s, the car culture prevailed over the Basilica, as an open-air car park was located all around it, a paradoxical situation.
On May 27, 2005, for the inauguration of the Airbus A380, Toulouse had the honor of welcoming Elisabeth II, Queen of England.
She was dressed in purple and carried a bouquet of violets from Toulouse, paying tribute to our city.
Afterwards, she wanted to visit the Basilica of Saint-Sernin and as soon as she arrived, she said: I'm shocked. Who came up with the idea of putting a car park around this magnificent monument?.
If Elisabeth II were still alive, she would be happy about the new layout of the square.
It was not until 2019, that the inauguration of the new square took place, featuring benches, plated trees and bars with large terraces.
But the most significant change is that the square has been rid of cars and is now reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.
It is the Catalan urban planner " Joan Bousquet ", who is behind this successful development.
He even reconstructed the cloister by creating a platform with trees planted in its place.
People can read, paint, rest or play pétanque there.
The Way of St. James de Compostela:
Toulouse and the Basilica of Saint-Sernin are one of the biggest stages of the Way of St. James de Compostela.
This has been the case since the Middle Ages, when only 3 out of 10 pilgrims arrived at their destination.
Indeed, there were 1000 km between Toulouse and Santiago de Compostela.
its paths are called the " VIA GARONA ".
Along the Way, there are stages where pilgrims stop at various holy places, such as Saint-Bertrand-de-Cominges, Saint-Gaudens and Rieux-Volvestre.
If you wish to explore the paths of Saint-Jacques de Compostelle, I'II give you the website of a company that organizes various circuits.
I have personally met them, they are serious.
La pèlerine: www.lapelerine.com
The Saint-Raymond Museum:
It was an ancient hospital, then a college for the Poors.
In the 19th century, everything was destroyed on the architect Virebent's orders.
Toady, this museum is built in the Toulouse style with terracotta bricks.
It has a collection of Gallo-Roman art.
On sunny days, there is a small refreshment bar, very pleasant in the small garden.
The Labor Exchange:
Built in 1930, it is of Art Déco style.
It houses many French trade unions.
Jean Jaurès, a great local left-wing politician, frequented the place for a long time.
The Du Barry Hotel:
Louis XV had given it to a great family, the " Dubarrys ".
The classic facade is common, but the interior is magnificent: painted ceilings, stuccos, mirrors, tapestries and luxurious furniture.
All the rooms are lined with numerous garlands .
This family had a tragic fate, and nowadays the building is a high school, the Saint-Sernin high school.
Bernard street:
It is the street that leads to Saint-Sernin from the boulevards.
An important architectural curiosity on this street, not to be missed.
Indeed, one can see three houses set back and a magnificent Art Deco-style building, amidst the local architecture.
If you come to Toulouse, don't miss seeing this complex dating back to the 1920s.
Saint-Sernin by night:
Thanks to an ecological LED system, Saint-Sernin illuminates every evening in the Toulouse sky.
The white lighting is particularly successful and it really enhances the monument.
Here's to hoping that you enjoyed this post about the beautiful Saint-Sernin Basilica.
If you ever come to Toulouse, it's definitely a monument you shouldn't miss out on.
Welcome in Toulouse.
The Toulouse blog .
Greetings Franck.
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