Paris Day 8: The Pantheon-The Cathedral of St. Genevieve

We were right down the road from the Pantheon.

IMG_1754.HEIC

It sit next door to one of the Universities so we sat down among the students and ate our snack.

IMG_1759.HEIC

YUMMMMMMM

IMG_1756.HEIC IMG_1757.HEIC

When we were done we headed into the Pantheon.

IMG_1758.HEIC IMG_1760.HEIC IMG_1762.HEIC

IMG_1763.HEIC

Another massive ornate building. Built by Louis the 15th, who wanted to be known as the most Christian King of France. It was completed after his death, after the death of Louis the 14th, during the French Revolution. It was built to be a cathrdral in monument to St. Genieve, the Patron Saint of Paris. BUT, it was instead taken over as a national monument to “great men of France.” Ironic since it was built to in monument to an amazing powerful woman.

IMG_1764.HEIC IMG_1766.HEIC IMG_1767.HEIC

The first mural that met us as we entered was of a man with his head cut off, so that was cool.

IMG_1768.HEIC

Like most cathedrals it was one giant room with smaller rooms off to each end.

IMG_1806.HEIC

And although the all the murals were religious, all the statues were nationalist, and reminded me a lot of the Bronze Communist statues in Albania.

IMG_1769.HEIC

IMG_1771.HEIC IMG_1772.HEIC

A beautiful mosaic. But that ladies eyes tell the whole story, she like, “whaaaa?”

IMG_1773.HEIC

The murals of course told the life of and ministry of St. Genevieve.

She was called by God as a young girl.

IMG_1809.HEIC

She went about doing good.

IMG_1810.HEIC

In 451 she led a “prayer marathon”that was said to have saved Paris by diverting Attlia the Hun away from the city. When the Germanic king Childeric I besieged the city in 464, she acted as an intermediary between the city and its besiegers, collecting food and convincing Childeric to release his prisoners.

IMG_1805.HEIC

Here she is panted at her death. THe image was criticized at the time because it was too real. Not mystical enough.

IMG_1802.HEIC IMG_1803.HEIC

They had an amazing mini model.

IMG_1774.HEIC IMG_1775.HEIC IMG_1776.HEIC IMG_1778.HEIC

And statues of famous french men.

IMG_1780.HEIC

Down to the catacomes. Where the great Men of France were to be buried. Sometimes people were buried and then removed because things came out after they died about how gross they were.

IMG_1781.HEIC IMG_1782.HEIC
IMG_1783.HEIC IMG_1785.HEIC

 

IMG_1784.HEIC

Voulaire was actually exhumed and then RE buried here.

IMG_1786.HEIC

Here the heart of Leon Gambetta, in the red urn.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9on_Gambetta

IMG_1788.HEIC IMG_1789.HEIC

Victor Hugo is burried here, and also:

IMG_1792.HEIC

IMG_1793.HEIC

Marie and Pierre Curie.

 

IMG_1794.HEIC

 

IMG_1795.HEIC IMG_1796.HEIC

IN the basement there is also some interesting images, like this one of when the cathedral was first built.

IMG_1797.HEIC

It was meant to be a functional church, so there are areas left empty and unused.

IMG_1798.HEIC IMG_1799.HEIC

 

IMG_1801.HEIC

They had a few shelves and a small reading library with Victor Hugo books, in memory of the author buried there.

IMG_1807.HEIC IMG_1808.HEIC

IMG_20191116_143730.jpg

Back outside again.

IMG_1811.HEIC IMG_1812.HEIC
IMG_1813.HEIC IMG_1815.HEIC

IMG_20191116_144025.jpg

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *