Here we will learn the fun facts about the Sacre-Coeur. It is one of the most visited museums in the French capital. This beautiful monument is situated at Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. Anyway, this article has been written for whoever wants to know about this stunning landmark of Paris. Whether you’re an architecture lover or a believer, you will love the Sacre-Coeur Where art and worship are mixed together.
Interesting Facts about Sacre-Coeur
1. It was already a Place of Worship long before its Construction
The Sacre-Coeur stands on top of the hill of Montmartre but, before its construction, this place was already a place of worship. Indeed, faithless used to be practiced, and Gallo-roman temples were once built there in dedication to Mercure and Mars. Being the highest point of the city, this place has always been chosen by the believers, due to the feeling of being closer to the sky, holds the idea of being closer to God, heaven, and forgiveness in Catholicism.
2. It is the Second Highest Point of the City
The main fact about the Sacre-Coeur is that it is the second-highest point in the city. Probably you might which one is first: it is the iconic Eiffel Tower. The Sacre-Coeur comes rights after it because it was built on top of the Montmartre hill, at a height of 130 meters. Both the dome and the bell tower are 91 meters tall. So, the total height of the Sacre-Coeur is 213 meters above sea level. Since the Eiffel Tower is 300 meters tall and the Montparnasse Tower is 210 meters tall, therefore Sacre-Coeur takes second place in the highest points of Paris.
Read:Â Arc De Triomphe Facts and History
3. It is the Second Most Visited Church
The Sacre-Coeur welcomes more than 10 million visitors early, while Notre Dame welcomes about 13 million visitors yearly. After the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Sacre-Coeur is one of the most visited churches in France. Entry is free of cost for the basilica, however, if you want to visit the dome to enjoy a spectacular view over Paris, you have to buy the tickets on-site.
4. It has a Stunning Architectural Style
The architect Paul Abadie designed the Sacre-Coeur. The architectural style is romano-byzantine which was inspired by churches, like Saint Sophia in Constantinople and San Marco in Venice. The exterior and interior architecture are in romano-byzantine style. You will love the lights and the details of this majestic place.
Also Read:Â Notre Dame Cathedral Facts and History
5. It was Financed by the Parisians
The construction of the church was financed by the faithful Parisians through donations. You will find the names of the people are engraved all over the walls of the church, who invested in the construction of the church.
6. The Reason why the Church was Built
In 1870, the French army was defeated by the Prussian army. Alexandre Legentil, a believer, wanted to relieve the French people from the pain and the humiliation he went through. He wanted the French people to feel better and rise again, giving them a new basilica. The main purpose of the church was to protect the French, but also for them to be forgiven for their all sins since the French Revolution. He managed to get a lawyer from the National Assembly declaring that the construction of the Sacre-Coeur was of public interest.
You can also read:Â Interesting Facts About Eiffel Tower
7. It has One of the Heaviest Bells
As you now know, many people from all around France, contributed to the construction of the church. For instance, the Savoie, a French department located in the Alps, offered a gigantic bell known as the “Savoyarde“, melted by the Paccard company. In 1895 they brought the bell to the Sacre-Coeur with the help of 21 horses that dragged the bell to the top of the hill of Montmartre. The “Savoyarde” is one of the biggest and heaviest bells in the world, it weighs around 19 tons.
8. The Origins of the Name
While the basilicas that were built during that period were usually named after Marie, the mother of Jesus, the Sacre-Coeur was dedicated to the heart of Jesus Christ, the symbol of the divine love Jesus had for the humans and of the scarification he made for their sins, as it says in the Bible.
9. The Church that Cleans Itself
One of the most impressive things about this church is its whiteness. You can see it from a distance due to its shiny spark look. But there’s a reason why it stays white all through the years. Paul Abadie has chosen a very specific stone for the construction of Sacre-Coeur. The white stone came from the quarries in Suppes, in the French department. It is the same stone that was used for the construction of Arc de Triomphe and the Alexandre III bridge in Paris. It is very resistant and the water does not affect it. In fact, in contact with water, when it rains, the stones release a substance, called “calcite” which cleans the stone and enables it to keep its white color.
10. It is of the Most Peaceful Places of the City
While visiting the Sacre-Coeur, you will quickly notice that there are plenty of locals, they are simply sitting and talking to each other. You will often see there, street artists, and other amazing performances. At the top of the hill of Montmartre,e you will feel light-hearted and realize a feeling of freedom and dedication because you come to realize that you need to dedicate yourself to what really matters. At the Sacre-Coeur surely you will find your inner peace.
Don’t Miss: Some Interesting Facts about Paris
Now you know the top 10 fun facts about the Sacre-Coeur. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this content. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need more information about anything. Share your own experiences and thoughts about the city of Paris, so we can grow as a community. If you are interested in discovering the history of Paris then kindly proceed to our other blogs as well, surely it would be beneficial for you. If you liked our blog please like it, comment in the below comment section, and share it.
The post Basilica of the Sacre-Coeur Facts, History appeared first on World Tour & Travel Guide, Get Travel Tips, Information, Discover Travel Destination | Adequate Travel.