Manécanterie, Lyon
Encyclopedia
The Manécanterie is an ancient memorial situated in Lyon in Saint Jean district, in the 5th arrondissement of Lyon
. It is placed side by side to the south southwest of the cathedral Saint Jean and is a part of the former convent of the cathedral. This small Romanesque
building served first as dining hall to the canons of Saint Jean, before becoming a parish choir school, namely a school for the singing of the clergy
.
and Romanesque influences, but it is based on constructions of the 2nd and 8th centuries. It was successively transformed throughout the late Middle Ages
and the modern time, particularly because the roadway of the Place Saint Jean was raised twice.
The Parish choir school, and particularly the sculptures of the saints, underwent damages by the troops of François de Beaumont, baron des Adrets
, during the siege of Lyon in 1562 by the Protestants. From the 16th to the 18th century, the building had many architectural modifications, including the drilling of Gothic windows, the addition of a floor above the frieze
, the transformation of the ground floor into shops, and the filling of certain arches. In the 18th century, the building became a parish choir school, and during the French Revolution
, it became the national property
.
In 1862, it was classified as monument historique
.
The current facade
has an blind arcade
overlaid with foliage, carried by small columns on pilasters. There are red bricks arranged in a geometrical way between the arcs and above.
From 1930, the building became the place of deposit, then a place of exhibition as museum
, the Trésor de la Cathédrale de Saint-Jean, established during the 19th century by the cardinals Joseph Fesch
and Louis Jacques Maurice de Bonald
and which is composed of liturgical objects such as old books, jewelry, clothing and tapestry.
5th arrondissement of Lyon
The 5th arrondissement of Lyon is one of the nine arrondissements of the City of Lyon.- History :The 5th arrondissement was created on 24 March 1852 . It is the historic center of Lyon. It is at Fourvière that Munatius Plancus founded the Roman colony of Lugdunum in 43 BC...
. It is placed side by side to the south southwest of the cathedral Saint Jean and is a part of the former convent of the cathedral. This small Romanesque
Romanesque Revival architecture
Romanesque Revival is a style of building employed beginning in the mid 19th century inspired by the 11th and 12th century Romanesque architecture...
building served first as dining hall to the canons of Saint Jean, before becoming a parish choir school, namely a school for the singing of the clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
.
History
The Parish choir school is probably the oldest building of Lyon, with the exception of the Roman buildings. It was built in the 11th century, in a style mixing the GothicGothic 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....
and Romanesque influences, but it is based on constructions of the 2nd and 8th centuries. It was successively transformed throughout the late Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
and the modern time, particularly because the roadway of the Place Saint Jean was raised twice.
The Parish choir school, and particularly the sculptures of the saints, underwent damages by the troops of François de Beaumont, baron des Adrets
François de Beaumont, baron des Adrets
François de Beaumont, baron des Adrets was a Huguenot leader, notorious for his cruelty; he died a Catholic.He was born in 1512 or 1513 at the château of La Frette . During the reign of Henry II of France he served with distinction in the royal army and became colonel of the legions of Dauphiné,...
, during the siege of Lyon in 1562 by the Protestants. From the 16th to the 18th century, the building had many architectural modifications, including the drilling of Gothic windows, the addition of a floor above the frieze
Frieze
thumb|267px|Frieze of the [[Tower of the Winds]], AthensIn architecture the frieze is the wide central section part of an entablature and may be plain in the Ionic or Doric order, or decorated with bas-reliefs. Even when neither columns nor pilasters are expressed, on an astylar wall it lies upon...
, the transformation of the ground floor into shops, and the filling of certain arches. In the 18th century, the building became a parish choir school, and during the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, it became the national property
Biens nationaux
Biens nationaux, or "national property", was a concept in French history. During the French Revolution, the possessions of the Roman Catholic Church were declared national property by the decree of November 2, 1789. These were sold to resolve the financial crisis that caused the Revolution...
.
In 1862, it was classified as monument historique
Monument historique
A monument historique is a National Heritage Site of France. It also refers to a state procedure in France by which national heritage protection is extended to a building or a specific part of a building, a collection of buildings, or gardens, bridges, and other structures, because of their...
.
The current facade
Facade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
has an blind arcade
Blind arcade
A blind arcade is an arcade that is composed of a series of arches that has no actual openings and that is applied to the surface of a wall as a decorative element: i.e. the arches are not windows or openings but are part of the masonry face. It is designed as an ornamental architectural element,...
overlaid with foliage, carried by small columns on pilasters. There are red bricks arranged in a geometrical way between the arcs and above.
From 1930, the building became the place of deposit, then a place of exhibition as museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
, the Trésor de la Cathédrale de Saint-Jean, established during the 19th century by the cardinals Joseph Fesch
Joseph Fesch
Joseph Fesch was a French cardinal, closely associated with the family of Napoleon Bonaparte. He was also one of the most famous art collectors of his period.-Biography:Fesch was born at Ajaccio in Corsica...
and Louis Jacques Maurice de Bonald
Louis Jacques Maurice de Bonald
Louis Jacques Maurice de Bonald was a French cardinal .Born at Millau, he was the son of the philosopher Louis Gabriel Ambroise de Bonald....
and which is composed of liturgical objects such as old books, jewelry, clothing and tapestry.