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The nave consists of three bays with wide, tall and pointed arches (one of the first uses of this in pre-Gothic churches) with sturdy columns. Above each arch are sets of three round topped arcades of a blind triforium and modest clerestory windows. The church is quite tall (72 feet). The nave and supporting tall windowed aisles are vaulted but the church is dimly lit. There is an ambulatory, shaped by 9 slender arched columns, that supports an open triforium and clerestory that help light the choir and give a clear view into the three apsidial chapels. The chapels and transepts are each extended in length by an extra bay. Ther choir is covered by a semi-dome whose surface is painted by a dim 14C fresco of Christ in Majesty. The entire ensemble is considered a miniature echo of Cluny III and as such an “ideal” Romanesque model church.
Written Nov 21, 2008
The Church of the Sacred Heart (so named in 1873, previously called Notre Dame) is preceded by a Narthex which was started in the 11C with the right tower. It has a tiny plain facade between the two massive square towers which it supports. Most of the church behind it is 12C. Under the narthex are decorated capitals in a clean stylized manner that looks recent. They consist of a forlorn man sitting among very shapely cats (Daniel in the Lion's Den?) that must be modern.
Written Nov 21, 2008
One of the most pleasing aspects of a large Romanesque church is the arrangement of chapels, ambulatory, choir dome and crossing tower to produce a "cascade" of stone shapes. One should always walk completely around such structures before or after seeing the interior.
Written Nov 16, 2008
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One of the most pleasing aspects of a large Romanesque church is the arrangement of chapels, ambulatory, choir dome and crossing tower to produce a "cascade" of...
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Paray-le-Monial's Romanesque Sacre-Coeur Basilica
We set out of a Sunday morning to visit the Basilica in Paray-le-Monial. It is as beautiful a Romanesque church as you can find anywhere, and its parishoners appeared to enjoy it as much as if it were...
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