You have made it up to Basilique du Sacré-Cœur; Montmartres beautiful basilica.
Standing on top of the highest point in Paris, the hill of Montmartre, the basilica looks
out over the beautiful city and has become one of Paris's most characteristic landmarks.
This Roman-Catholic basilica is by many perceived to be an old basilica, much in the same way
as the Notre Dame de Paris, but this in not the case.
The basilica as actually rather young, considering it was built in late 19th- and early 20th
century.
The building was constructed in order to honor the 58.000 who lost their lives in the Franco-Prussian
war, a war which France lost disastrously.
It was also built to inspire faith into the French people who struggled during what was
a very trying era, not only with the defeat in the war, but also with the turbulent time
in Paris after the defeat with the rule of the Paris Commune.
The Paris Commune was a workers party who ruled Paris for two months in 1871.
It didn't take too long before conflicts and fighting began with ultra-Catholics and royalists,
who were backed up by the French army.
After the Commune had lost the bloody battles, the archbishop of Paris ordered to build the
basilica as a way to "expiate the crimes of the communards".
This caused of course much controversy, as both sides in the fighting had committed horrible
crimes.
One Parisian called it "a lunatic's confectionery dream" and an offended Zola declared it "the
basilica of the ridiculous."
Montmartre had been the site of the Commune's first rebellion and the hill a religious site
for a long time, so the place for the new basilica was obvious.
Even though the basilica has a somewhat troublesome history, it is today loved and adored by almost
all Parisians.
The architect of this beautiful piece was Paul Abadie, who won the architect competition
after beating the other 77 architects.
As you can see by looking at the basilica, its architectural style is very different
compared to other churces in Paris.
Instead of being a Neo-classical-, or a Gothic church like Notre Dame de Paris, the Sacré-Cœur
is inspired by eastern Byzantine architecture.
The most obvious sign of this is the fact the basilica is dominated by three big domes.
Before construction started, a law public utility was passed to seize land at the summit
of Montmartre and in 1875 the foundation stone was laid.
The passing of a law to seize the ground further caused controversy to the construction project
and the matter finally reached the Chamber of Deputies where the law was rescinded.
However, by this stage the construction of the basilica had come such a long way that
it was allowed to be finished.
The architect Abadie never got to see the basilica finished, as he died not long after
the foundation stone had been laid.
Five other architects carried on with his plans and the basilica stood finished 1914,
39 years after start of the construction.
However, due to the interference of the First World War, the basilica was formally dedicated
later in 1919.
The total construction cost was estimated at 7 million French francs which were raised
to a large degree by private donations, both from rich and poor.
A large part of the money came from visitors and pilgrims, who visited the provisional
chapel and the construction site.
As you can see, the basilica itself is very white.
The Sacré-Cœur is built of travertine stone quarried in Château-Landon.
This frost-resistant stone constantly exudes calcite, which ensures that the basilica remains
white even with weathering and pollution.
Even though the architectural style was not typically French at the time, the Sacré-Cœur
has many design elements which symbolize nationalist themes.
One example of this is the two statues you can see above the main entrance.
If you stand in front of the church and look towards the entrance, you will have the French
national saint Joan de Arc to your right and King Saint Louis IX to you left.
Between and above the two bronze statues, you will see a statue of Jesus, welcoming
you into the basilica.
Below Jesus you can read the Latin phrase; "Cor Jesu Sacratissimum" which translates
to "The Sacred Heart of Jesus".
In French, Sacré-Cœur means just that, "Sacred Heart".
The Sacred Heart is a symbol of the love Jesus has for all of humanity.
While the outside of the basilica is beautiful, the same is true its inside.
The inside is open to the public; just make sure you are dressed somewhat appropriately.
The most prominent part of the inside is the mosaic in the apse, entitled "Christ in Majesty".
The mosaic is true majestic, being the largest one in the world.
It pictures The Sacred Heart of Jesus, worshiped by the Virgin Mary, Joan de Arc and St. Michael
the Archangel.
The basilica can also boast about having one of the largest free-swinging bells in the
world, as its bell "Savoyarde", weighs an impressive 19 tons.
What many people do not know is that it is also possible to climb the main dome of the
basilica.
On the same side as the King Saint Louis IX statue, the left side of the basilica, you
will find the entrance to the crypt and a staircase to the top.
While the 300 steps are tough to make, it will give you a magnificent view over Paris.
Many say it's the second best view possible in Paris, only beaten by the top level of
the Effiel Tower.
On a clear day, you can see as far as 48km.
I highly recommend that you make the effort and visit the top.