Cathedrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds (Toulon Cathedral), Toulon
Toulon Cathedral, officially dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, is a historic landmark that has stood for centuries as a symbol of the city鈥檚 religious and architectural heritage. Also known as Saint Mary and Our Lady of the Seds, the cathedral's origins date back to the 5th century, though no traces remain of the earliest structure.
The present building was initiated in 1096 by Gilbert, Count of Provence, upon his safe return from the Crusades. Over time, the cathedral underwent significant expansions, with the addition of the Chapel of Relics in the 15th century and a classical fa莽ade constructed under Louis XIV between 1696 and 1701.
One of the most dramatic episodes in the cathedral's history occurred in the winter of 1543鈥�1544 when the building was temporarily transformed into a mosque to accommodate the 30,000 sailors of Ottoman admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa, an ally of Francis I of France. The residents of Toulon were displaced during this period, and only after the king paid a hefty bribe did the fleet depart.
The cathedral's imposing clock tower, built between 1737 and 1740, stands 36 meters tall, featuring an iron campanile where a bell has tolled since 1524. The original bells were melted down during the French Revolution but were replaced in 1806.
Inside, the cathedral houses remarkable works of art, including an 18th-century Baroque retable in the Corpus Christi Chapel, designed to hold the Holy Sacrament. The fa莽ade, adorned with Corinthian columns and angelic figures holding the arms of Toulon, was heavily damaged during the Revolution but restored in 1816.
The present building was initiated in 1096 by Gilbert, Count of Provence, upon his safe return from the Crusades. Over time, the cathedral underwent significant expansions, with the addition of the Chapel of Relics in the 15th century and a classical fa莽ade constructed under Louis XIV between 1696 and 1701.
One of the most dramatic episodes in the cathedral's history occurred in the winter of 1543鈥�1544 when the building was temporarily transformed into a mosque to accommodate the 30,000 sailors of Ottoman admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa, an ally of Francis I of France. The residents of Toulon were displaced during this period, and only after the king paid a hefty bribe did the fleet depart.
The cathedral's imposing clock tower, built between 1737 and 1740, stands 36 meters tall, featuring an iron campanile where a bell has tolled since 1524. The original bells were melted down during the French Revolution but were replaced in 1806.
Inside, the cathedral houses remarkable works of art, including an 18th-century Baroque retable in the Corpus Christi Chapel, designed to hold the Holy Sacrament. The fa莽ade, adorned with Corinthian columns and angelic figures holding the arms of Toulon, was heavily damaged during the Revolution but restored in 1816.
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Cathedrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds (Toulon Cathedral) on Map
Sight Name: Cathedrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds (Toulon Cathedral)
Sight Location: Toulon, France (See walking tours in Toulon)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Toulon, France (See walking tours in Toulon)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Toulon, France
Create Your Own Walk in Toulon
Creating your own self-guided walk in Toulon 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.
Toulon Introduction Walking Tour
Sitting pretty on the C么te d'Azur, Toulon blends history, sunshine, and Mediterranean charm effortlessly. Founded by the Romans as a strategic naval stronghold, it quickly became France's star naval port鈥攁n irresistible target for ambitious conquerors and pesky pirates alike. Its massive, naturally sheltered harbor is among Europe's largest, a fact the city has never been shy... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles