Basilica of Saint Michael of Bordeaux | |
---|---|
Religion | |
Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
District | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bordeaux |
Location | |
Location | Bordeaux, Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France |
Geographic coordinates | 44°50′04″N0°33′54″W / 44.83438°N 0.56506°W |
Architecture | |
Type | Minor basilica |
Style | Gothic |
Spire height | 114 metres (374 ft) |
Official name | Part of Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France |
Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (iv), (vi) |
Reference | 868 |
Inscription | 1998 (22nd Session) |
The Basilica of St Michael (Basilique Saint-Michel, in French), is a Flamboyant Gothic church in Bordeaux, France.
In 1998, UNESCO designated the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France as a World Heritage Site, including the three main churches of Bordeaux : the basilica of St Severinus, the basilica of St Michael and the cathedral of St Andrew.
The basilica was built between the end of 14th century and the 16th century. It is at the heart of the ancient quarter of Saint-Michel. [1] [2]
The church has been listed in the Inventory of Historic Monuments since 1846, minor basilica since 1903, and World Heritage Site since 1998.
The pulpit represents Saint Michael slaying the dragon. The stained-glass windows were destroyed during the bombardment of 1940.
The separate bell tower, which is 114 meters tall, was built in the 15th century. The tower can be visited every day from April to October. [3]
From the late eighteenth century until 1979, over 60 of the mummified bodies were exhibited in the crypt. [4] [5]
In 1881 a Gallo-Roman cemetery and catacombs were discovered under the tower, with several naturally mummified bodies (see note). The church is a listed historical monument.
The mummies were found in 1791 according to other sources, in the adjacent parish graveyard which, having become full, was being cleared, with remains being transferred to catacombs; they further state that the bodies were removed to the cimetière de la Chartreuse in 1979. [6] [7]
A mummy is a dead human or an animal whose soft tissues and organs have been preserved by either intentional or accidental exposure to chemicals, extreme cold, very low humidity, or lack of air, so that the recovered body does not decay further if kept in cool and dry conditions. Some authorities restrict the use of the term to bodies deliberately embalmed with chemicals, but the use of the word to cover accidentally desiccated bodies goes back to at least the early 17th century.
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