Lyon Cathedral, Lyon, France

Lyon Cathedral was founded by Saint Pothinus and Saint Irenaeus, the first two bishops of Lyon. The cathedral is also known as a Primatiale because in 1079 the Pope granted to the archbishop of Lyon the title of Primate of All the Gauls with the legal supremacy over the principal archbishops of the kingdom. It is located in the heart of the old town, less than five minutes away from the banks of the Saône river, with a large plaza in front of it and a metro stop nearby providing easy access to and from the city center.

Begun in the 12th century on the ruins of a 6th-century church, the cathedral was completed in 1476. The building is 80 meters long (internally), 20 meters wide at the choir, and 32.5 meters high in the nave. The cathedral organ was built by Daublaine and Callinet and was installed in 1841 at the end of the apse and had 15 stops. It was rebuilt in 1875 by Merklin-Schütze and given 30 stops, three keyboards of 54 notes and pedals for 27.

Noteworthy are the two crosses to right and left of the altar, preserved since the council of 1274 as a symbol of the union of the churches, and the Bourbon chapel, built by the Cardinal de Bourbon and his brother Pierre de Bourbon, son-in-law of Louis XI, a masterpiece of 15th century sculpture.

The cathedral also has the Lyon Astronomical Clock from the 14th century.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Sreenath (10 months ago)
The Cathedral is nearly 8 centuries old and took long to construct. It looks great in the interior architecture, with lovely paintings on the glass all around. It is not crowded during the afternoon, and one could come and have a peaceful time here remembering the Saviour.

Oscar Munoz (13 months ago)
"The Lyon Cathedral, also known as Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon, is a stunning masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Its magnificent facade and intricate details are a testament to the skill of its builders. Inside, the cathedral is a realm of serenity, with beautiful stained glass windows and impressive sculptures. A climb to the top provides breathtaking views of Lyon's historic Old Town. Whether you're drawn to its spiritual significance or its architectural grandeur, the Lyon Cathedral is a place of beauty, history, and contemplation. ?⛪?

ALAN HURLEY (14 months ago)
Very tranquil I went early morning not a great number of people. Interesting clock read other contributors. Truthfully I've been to more decorative Cathedrals however found this one interesting.

Seimen Burum (14 months ago)
The origins of this cathedral go back to the 12th century when it was built in the place of three smaller churches and a cloister. It was fascinating to see a huge astronomical clockwork that, at the time I visited, was out of order. There were beautiful stained glass windows and more interesting details.

Ovidiu Pirlac (15 months ago)
For me, was the first time to see a double decker church with a classic catholic architecture. This can be visited via funicular or hiking, I recommend both. When reached, it offer an impressive overview of Lyon city.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright stahli36

Historic Site of the week

Celje Castle

Celje Castle was once the largest fortification on Slovenian territory. The first fortified building on the site (a Romanesque palace) was built in the first half of the 13th century by the Counts of Heunburg from Carinthia on the stony outcrop on the western side of the ridge where the castle stands. It had five sides, or four plus the southern side, which was a natural defence. The first written records of the castle date back to between 1125 and 1137; it was probably built by Count Gunter. In the western section of the castle, there was a building with several floors. Remains of the walls of this palatium have survived. In the eastern section, there was an enclosed courtyard with large water reservoirs. The eastern wall, which protects the castle from its most exposed side, was around three metres thicker than the rest of the curtain wall. The wall was topped with a parapet and protected walkway.

Lyon Cathedral

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Celje Castle