Basilica of Paray-le-Monial
Encyclopedia
The Basilica of Paray-le-Monial is a Romanesque
church in Paray-le-Monial
, Bourgogne
, eastern France
. Built from the 12th century, on the site of a 10th century monastery founded by count Lambert of Chalon
, it was a small-scale version of the Abbey of Cluny. It was completed in the 14th century, although some sections were added in the 18th century or renovated in the 19th century. As a priory, it was under the authority of Cluny and was a popular pilgrimage site.
, and three radial chapels. The edifice has an overall length of 63.5 meters, including the vestibule
and the eastern chapel, and a width of 22.35 m.
The nave (which is 22 m tall) and the aisles are covered by ogival barrel vault
s, with, internally, the use of different height levels which was typical of Romanesque architecture. It has pre-Gothic
pillars, a blind tribune and a clerestory
with small windows. The capitals of the columns are generally decorated with vegetable motifs, although some feature depictions of animals or other figures. The choir houses a 14th century fresco, rediscovered in 1935.
The exterior has a sober appearance, with massive walls. The few decorations include the portal of the transept's left arm, with flower and geometrical motifs. The crossing
is surmounted by a tower with an elevation of 56 m; two smaller towers are also at the sides of the main facade.
The complex include other buildings, such as a 18th century cloister.
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
church in Paray-le-Monial
Paray-le-Monial
Paray-le-Monial is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Burgundy in eastern France.-History:Paray existed before the monks who gave it its surname of Le Monial, for when Count Lambert of Chalon, together with his wife Adelaide and his friend Mayeul de Cluny, founded there in...
, Bourgogne
Bourgogne
Burgundy is one of the 27 regions of France.The name comes from the Burgundians, an ancient Germanic people who settled in the area in early Middle-age. The region of Burgundy is both larger than the old Duchy of Burgundy and smaller than the area ruled by the Dukes of Burgundy, from the modern...
, eastern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Built from the 12th century, on the site of a 10th century monastery founded by count Lambert of Chalon
Lambert of Chalon
Lambert of Chalon was the count of Chalon from 956 to 978, and count of Autun.He was the son of Robert of Dijon and Ingeltrude, and the brother to Robert, viscount of Chalon. Around 968, he married to Adelaide of Chalon, the daughter of Gilbert, Duke of Burgundy and widow of Robert of Vermandois...
, it was a small-scale version of the Abbey of Cluny. It was completed in the 14th century, although some sections were added in the 18th century or renovated in the 19th century. As a priory, it was under the authority of Cluny and was a popular pilgrimage site.
Description
The church has a rather short nave and two aisles, crossed by a single-nave transept. The choir includes a semicircular apse with an ambulatoryAmbulatory
The ambulatory is the covered passage around a cloister. The term is sometimes applied to the procession way around the east end of a cathedral or large church and behind the high altar....
, and three radial chapels. The edifice has an overall length of 63.5 meters, including the vestibule
Vestibule (architecture)
A vestibule is a lobby, entrance hall, or passage between the entrance and the interior of a building.The same term can apply to structures in modern or ancient roman architecture. In modern architecture vestibule typically refers to a small room or hall between an entrance and the interior of...
and the eastern chapel, and a width of 22.35 m.
The nave (which is 22 m tall) and the aisles are covered by ogival barrel vault
Barrel vault
A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve along a given distance. The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design...
s, with, internally, the use of different height levels which was typical of Romanesque architecture. It has pre-Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
pillars, a blind tribune and a clerestory
Clerestory
Clerestory is an architectural term that historically denoted an upper level of a Roman basilica or of the nave of a Romanesque or Gothic church, the walls of which rise above the rooflines of the lower aisles and are pierced with windows. In modern usage, clerestory refers to any high windows...
with small windows. The capitals of the columns are generally decorated with vegetable motifs, although some feature depictions of animals or other figures. The choir houses a 14th century fresco, rediscovered in 1935.
The exterior has a sober appearance, with massive walls. The few decorations include the portal of the transept's left arm, with flower and geometrical motifs. The crossing
Crossing (architecture)
A crossing, in ecclesiastical architecture, is the junction of the four arms of a cruciform church.In a typically oriented church , the crossing gives access to the nave on the west, the transept arms on the north and south, and the choir on the east.The crossing is sometimes surmounted by a tower...
is surmounted by a tower with an elevation of 56 m; two smaller towers are also at the sides of the main facade.
The complex include other buildings, such as a 18th century cloister.