The Major Cathedral of Saint Marie of Marseille.

Why did I visit it?  Why have I visited any of these old religious sites on my travel?  I love the architecture and the history they hold.

I’m not much on tradition, never have and been and it’s highly likely I never will.  I’m alright with that. But, it doesn’t mean I have no appreciation for these highly significant features.

In one way it reminds me of attending St. John The Baptist Church in Plaquemine, Louisiana in that it is very long and elegant and I might say practably usable.  And now that I’m thinking about it the stage area of the church in Plaquemine is more dynamic.  Some facilities aren’t as user friendly but this one seems suited for populous seating.

If that statement makes any sense.

Basically, I’ve been inside some ‘herculean’ churches that had very little seating.  The Pantheon in Rome comes first to mind, but there are others.

It is a National Monument of France and a basilica minor since 1896.  Meaning that Marseille has two Basilicas!  The other we will visit shortly.

 It is 469 ft long, and the main cupola is 231 ft  high. With a capacity of 3,000 seats, it is one of the largest cathedrals in France.

I didn’t know it was a minor basilica….

Built in the Byzantine-Roman Revival style from 1852 to 1896 on the site used for the cathedrals of Marseille…this is what I really find exciting and that’s the meshing of two styles.  This is done throughout history.  Partially, in my opinion because the construction took so long and outlived the primay architecture and then on the other hand frustration with the political aspect would lead to a new architecture.

The staging area in the center is surrounded by a semicircular area with small worship areas that have their own altars and such.   I have a hard time with the cathedral vs. basilica thing….all I know is that it has something to do with the Pope.  Maybe, I’ll try a chat with him and see where that takes me.  This cathedral is larger than the next basilica!!!

I did start doing some research on cathedral and basilicas for a possible future project but I’m thinking his Popeness interview might help a lot.

This facility is magnificent!!!  I didn’t know that I was visiting this place to be honest.  Out walking, and as usual….lets go a little bit further and rounding a curve with a massive wall that is an extension of one of the two forts at the mouth of the marina there the cathedral stood!!!  Inviting us in.  So we did!

One of the really good thing was that it was open to the public and another was that it was such an easy walk thru!  It wasn’t overly crowded and less than a handful of worshippers.  This time I voluntarily took off my hat (I usually forget and someone has to remind me).

It is a rather ‘LARGE’ cathedral as you can see.  I didn’t walk the fullness of the outside, the inside was to my satisfaction and besides, it was cold and windy outside.  Cold and Windy!!!

More of interesting Marseille coming up!!!

Peace, love, and beaches,

John

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