Wednesday, June 12, 2019

A Day On Montmartre: The Churches

On the 11th we Metro'd, walked, and funiculared our way up to Montmartre, Paris' high point and still popular tourist/historical site. Then we walked back down. First, we visited the churches, one of which was interesting. Then, the rest, mostly artsy, historico-artsy.
The very famous Basilica du Sacre Bleu, Paris landmark which, in my humble
estimation, does not warrant much interest, except for the view: has not stood
the test of time, was built in the shame of 1870, and has nothing to do with French
art nor architecture

Interior half dome; no Pantokrator

One of the many side chapels

Helpful illuminated model

Minor side-dome

Yes! There's the Panokrator, kind of hidden

The more interesting church is that of St. Pierre of Montmartre, built in 1147,
part of the abbey; re-done in the early 1900s after nearly becoming a total loss



Perhaps its most interesting features are the four gray Roman
columns, thought to have come up the hill from a Temple
of Mercury, or possibly Mars (MontMars? some speculate)

Oldest religious art in the Paris area

Merovingian capitals on the younger columns

Helpful illuminated model in the prayer-only area: I was praying that they not
catch and admonish me ("Oh Lord, we beseech thee, amen")

Choir/chancel, including another of the Roman columns; give them points for
recycling

Elevation

Another Merovingian set of capitals

Including--yes!--the symbol of lust!

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