Basilique Saint-Nazaire (Basilica of Saint-Nazaire), Carcassonne (must see)
In the sixth century during the era of the Visigoths, Theodoric the Great presided over the construction of the original church destined to occupy the site of the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire. A Carolingian cathedral later occupied the space but it was destroyed in the 1100s. In the 13th century the cathedral was reconstructed in a Gothic style.
It was the cathedral of Carcassonne until 1803, when it ceded that title to Catedral Saint-Michel de Carcassonne. The church was classified as a historical monument in 1840. In 1898 the church was elevated to the rank of minor basilica.
The basilica is laid out in a Latin cross configuration. Its interior length is 226 feet. The nave is 53 feet wide and the transept measures 115 feet. The tripartite nave is Romanesque and easily the oldest part of the church. The main entrance in the north wall is made of two doors framed by five receding arches also in the Romanesque style.
The west wall has a fortress like facade as with most languedoc-roussillon churches of that period. The transept and choir are Gothic. The central stained glass window of the choir is from 1280. It is one of the oldest such windows in France. With the upper trefoils it shows the life of Jesus in 16 pictures.
It was the cathedral of Carcassonne until 1803, when it ceded that title to Catedral Saint-Michel de Carcassonne. The church was classified as a historical monument in 1840. In 1898 the church was elevated to the rank of minor basilica.
The basilica is laid out in a Latin cross configuration. Its interior length is 226 feet. The nave is 53 feet wide and the transept measures 115 feet. The tripartite nave is Romanesque and easily the oldest part of the church. The main entrance in the north wall is made of two doors framed by five receding arches also in the Romanesque style.
The west wall has a fortress like facade as with most languedoc-roussillon churches of that period. The transept and choir are Gothic. The central stained glass window of the choir is from 1280. It is one of the oldest such windows in France. With the upper trefoils it shows the life of Jesus in 16 pictures.
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Basilique Saint-Nazaire (Basilica of Saint-Nazaire) on Map
Sight Name: Basilique Saint-Nazaire (Basilica of Saint-Nazaire)
Sight Location: Carcassonne, France (See walking tours in Carcassonne)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Carcassonne, France (See walking tours in Carcassonne)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Carcassonne, France
Create Your Own Walk in Carcassonne
Creating your own self-guided walk in Carcassonne is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Medieval City of Carcassonne Walking Tour
A pig full of wheat was thrown off the battlements. The lady commanding the fortress was a Muslim. The besieging Christians knew Muslims do not eat pig. What is more, the defenders must have plenty of food if they could feed wheat to a pig and throw it over the walls. The siege had lasted five years. The attackers were starving. They left.
Many stories are told about the fortified medieval... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Many stories are told about the fortified medieval... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Carcassonne Introduction Walking Tour
Nestled in the picturesque region of Occitanie in southern France is the captivating city of Carcassonne.
The name "Carcassonne" is believed to have originated from the Gallic word "Carsac," referring to a fort settlement that was later fortified by the Romans who occupied the area in the 1st century BC.
A legend suggests another, more colorful version of the name,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
The name "Carcassonne" is believed to have originated from the Gallic word "Carsac," referring to a fort settlement that was later fortified by the Romans who occupied the area in the 1st century BC.
A legend suggests another, more colorful version of the name,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles