BASILICA SAINT-JULIEN

BASILICA SAINT-JULIEN

Brioude - 43100 (Haute-Loire)
History

In the heart of Brioude Basilica Julien bears witness to a prestigious past. This monument was built in the Romanesque period on the tomb of Saint Julien is replacing the successive churches at the location of the martyrium of the 4th century. As early as the 6th century Gregory of Tours says that on the tomb of the saint decapitated, a tributary of the multitudes of pilgrims seeking healing. Saint Julien became the protector of the Auvergne, Brioude is one of the main centers of pilgrimage in Gaul. That in the 9th century, the Dukes of Aquitaine is implanted their capital and Guillaume the pious, founder of Cluny, was buried in the Church.
Since that time until the French Revolution, this collegiate church was served by the powerful chapter of canons Earls, Lords of Brioude. In 1957, Pope Pius XII conferred on him the dignity of Basilica minor.
With 74.15 m in length, the Basilica of St. Julien is the largest Romanesque church in Auvergne. It relates to the Auvergne Romanesque school by his storied bedside and its stones of several colours, but differs in other points, such as the arrangement of portals, surmounted covings smooth, carved or saw-tooth, instead of the traditional cord for billet and any Burgundian ornamentation of the bedside. It is distinguished by a rich polychromy in shades of rose and yellow and great originality of architectural.

Illumination of the Basilica
The opulent roman decor, still remains significant, introduced to the South porch by two knockers of bronze depicting a lion and a monkey. The intact capitals (more than 300) offers a surprising iconographic diversity dominated patterns inspired by antiquity. They alongside themes medieval and religious; battles, usurer, Resurrection...
The chapel retained the entirety of the last judgment, painted in fresco in the middle of the 12th century. On the pillars of the nave, swathes of early 12th century frescoes expose biblical and narrative scenes inserted into rich decorative patterns. This polychromy is enhanced by the exceptional paving of pebbles of the 16th century (and the 9th century).
Treasure trove of religious art, the furniture of the present Basilica mainly of Gothic and classical works very expressive: fascinating leper Christ, but also tender Virgin...
Outside - The present Church, undertaken by the narthex in 1060, was completed in 1180 (choir and bedside). Its nave was raised and vaulted warheads in 1259, but west façade, as well as the square bell tower, which overcomes the octagonal bell tower over the transept crossing it was redone in the 19th century...
Visits
o La Place aux Herbes (called for very long, Place de Clastre (cloister)

INFORMATION AND GUIDED TOURS
Cultural mediator and guide
Tel. 04 71 74 94 59