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.
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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 |
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| Interior half dome; no Pantokrator |
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| One of the many side chapels |
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| Helpful illuminated model |
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| Minor side-dome |
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| Yes! There's the Panokrator, kind of hidden |
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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 |
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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) |
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| Oldest religious art in the Paris area |
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| Merovingian capitals on the younger columns |
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Helpful illuminated model in the prayer-only area: I was praying that they not
catch and admonish me ("Oh Lord, we beseech thee, amen") |
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Choir/chancel, including another of the Roman columns; give them points for
recycling |
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| Elevation |
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| Another Merovingian set of capitals |
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| Including--yes!--the symbol of lust! |
