Cathedral of Saint Pierre Geneva. Saint-Pierre Cathedral. About the design of the Cathedral

The archbishop's chair in Poitiers was founded in the 3rd century; it is now located in St. Peter's Cathedral, the construction of which began in the 12th century.

The cathedral began to be built on the site of the destroyed Church of St. Hilary, consecrated in the name of the first bishop of Poitiers. The cathedral was built near the Baptistery of St. John and the Church of Notre-Dame-la-Grand. The initiator of the construction of the temple was Henry II Plantagenet, who financed the work from his own funds. Therefore, the church is considered an example of a special architectural movement - Angevin Gothic, also called the Plantagenet style. The difference between this style and, for example, Gothic is the higher vaults.

The Angevin style during the construction of the cathedral was used exactly until the change of royal power - Philip II, who came to rule at the end of the 12th century, and had other architectural preferences, continued the construction of the temple in the French Gothic style.

The façade of the cathedral was built in the mid-13th century. The tympanum of its central entrance is decorated with a sculpture of the Judgment Day scene. The side portals are decorated with images of the Virgin Mary and Doubting Thomas.

After the Great French Revolution, the cathedral lost its cathedral status, which was returned to it some time later. The temple has been a National Historic Landmark since 1875.

The apse of the cathedral is decorated with a stained glass window from the 12th century, which depicts a crucifix surrounded by saints and donors (notable persons who sponsored the construction of the temple and the creation of the stained glass window). Among the donors, Henry II Plantagenet himself is depicted along with his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine. Other sections of the stained glass window display biblical scenes: the Ascension of the Lord, the trials of St. Peter and the beheading of the Apostle Paul. The interior of the temple preserves carved antique furniture, a Baroque altar made of black marble, and an organ made by the master Clicquot in the 18th century.

The part of the city where the Saint-Pierre Cathedral is located was known back in the 6th century. In the 12th century, construction of the cathedral began, and at the end of the 15th century it received a western wing and a bell tower. Over the next 200 years, the facade was built, which has survived to this day. Its construction was carried out in three stages.

Between 1541 and 1543 the lower level was built, between 1640 and 1654 the second level, and from 1654 to 1658 the third. Three architects worked at different times to create each of the tiers. During the reign of Louis XVI (1679-1704), the construction was completed by the architect François Hugo. By that time, part of the building was already in need of restoration. On February 11, 1754, during a service, a large stone fell from the roof onto the choir and caused serious damage. The situation gradually worsened, and by 1768 there was a need for a complete reconstruction of the cathedral, which was started in 1787 under the leadership of Mathurin Crucy.

After the death of the architect, the work he had begun was completed by the Rennes architect Louis Richelot. This happened in 1845. At the same time, the interior decoration of the cathedral was also updated. In 1906, the Saint-Pierre Cathedral was included in the register of national historical monuments and is now the residence of the Archbishop of Rennes.

Location: 12 Rue de la Monnaie, 35000 Rennes, France

Coordinates: 48.11174000,-1.68387600

Saint-Pierre Cathedral on the map

The famous St. Peter's Basilica in Geneva is the city's cathedral. There are cultural and historical monuments that never lose their relevance and, even through the centuries, are full of grandeur and beauty. Such is this Cathedral, which crowns all the other main attractions of Geneva, recommended for inspection.

From the history of St. Peter's Basilica

In this very place in the distant 4th century there stood more than one Christian temple and baptistery. The construction of the main city temple took place within more than one historical era: each ruler, architect, and townspeople contributed something of their own to the construction, characteristic of that time. That is why several architectural styles are so surprisingly intertwined in the external appearance of the temple. Among the main dates in the history of St. Peter's Basilica are the following milestones:

• 1160 – start of construction;
• 1310 - completion of construction;
• 1406 – the Chapel of the Maccabees was erected;
• 1441 - the north wall of the nave was damaged serious damage;
• 1449 – reconstruction of the damaged wall;
• 1535 - The Council becomes reformist;
• mid-18th century - a new facade was built in the neoclassical style.

It was St. Peter's Basilica that became one of the first churches of Calvinism.

Architectural styles in the exterior of Geneva Cathedral

All the sights of Switzerland are unique and unusual in their own way, but it was the Geneva Cathedral that so harmoniously managed to combine so many European styles in its architectural appearance.

• The cathedral was originally conceived as a Romanesque building.
• Later it acquires Gothic features.
• With further construction, the temple is supplemented with more and more new elements.
• The massive façade is built in neoclassical style.

The austerity of the nave marks the smooth transition of the Cathedral from Catholicism to Protestantism. The Cathedral building rises majestically and solemnly above the Old Town and attracts the admiring glances of tourists from different parts of the city.

Interior of Geneva Cathedral

The interior of the Cathedral, just like its appearance, will not leave anyone indifferent. Here you can see unique historical relics:

• Calvin's chair is one of the main exhibits of the cathedral;
• You can climb the north tower, which offers an unforgettable panoramic view.

The unique, unusual, solemn and monumental St. Peter's Cathedral in Geneva amazes all tourists with its beauty and majesty. Not visiting it means not seeing Switzerland.

After such a busy excursion, you can go to relax in a pre-booked hotel in Geneva. Or, if you are still full of energy, to the picturesque Botanical Garden, where there are picnic areas and children can run freely on the lawns. On its territory there is also a zoo with endangered species of animals.

St. Peter's Cathedral is not only the main and most famous landmark of Geneva. IN modern form The cathedral displays its entire history, expressed in an incredible combination of all European architectural styles. The Romanesque church with neoclassical columns is topped by two square towers and a striking green spire. The cathedral is especially impressive at night, illuminated by bright spotlights.

Religious buildings on the site of this temple were erected starting from the 4th century. Construction of the current building began in 1160 and took almost 150 years. They began to build it in the Romanesque style, but over time it acquired characteristic Gothic features. During its history, the temple was repeatedly completed and supplemented with new elements. Thus, in 1406, the Maccobean chapel arose. In the period 1441-1449, the destroyed northern wall of the nave was restored. And in the middle of the 18th century, a new massive facade was erected, designed in the style of classicism.

Since 1535, the cathedral has become the first of the Calvinist churches. New elements of the building that appeared during the Reformation were of more strict, ascetic forms. As a memory of that era, Calvin's chair is kept in the temple. At that time, the “Geneva Bible” was produced within the walls of the cathedral - the first translation of the holy book from Latin into English.

Excavations of ancient Geneva were carried out under St. Peter's Cathedral, on the site of which a museum was organized. Now you can wander there between the foundations dating from the 3rd century BC until the start of construction of the first temple.

Opening hours: the cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 18:30, on Sunday - from 12:00 to 18:30, in winter the temple closes an hour earlier.
The Archaeological Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 (entrance until 16:30). Ticket prices: tickets to the archaeological museum cost 8 CHF for adults, 4 CHF for reduced prices. Address: Place Bourg-Saint-Pierre, Geneva. How to get there: the nearest public transport stops are Cathédrale, Molard, Croix-Rouge and Place Neuve. www: Website of St. Peter's Cathedral.