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The Chartreuse de Champmol, formally the Chartreuse de la Sainte-Trinité de Champmol, was a Carthusian monastery on the outskirts of Dijon, which is now in France, but in the 15th century was the capital of the Duchy of Burgundy. The monastery was founded in 1383 by Duke Philip the Bold to provide a dynastic burial place for the Valois Dukes of Burgundy, and operated until it was dissolved in 1791, during the French Revolution.
The monastery, which was dismantled during the French Revolution, has preserved two major works by the Flemish sculptor Claus Sluter: the church portal, depicting Philip the Bold and his wife Marguerite of Flanders, and the Well of Moses. Decorated with majestic statues of King David and Moses, as well as those of the four prophets (Isaiah, Daniel, Zechariah and Jeremiah), the Well was erected in the centre of the great cloister. This strikingly realistic masterpiece by Sluter brilliantly illustrates the richness and finesse of Burgundian-Flemish sculpture from the late 14th century.
The chapel, built in Neo-Gothic style by Pierre-Paul Petit, was consecrated on November 17, 1844, by Monseigneur Rivet, Bishop of Dijon. This chapel, which incorporates ancient reused elements, is a true treasure trove of historical and cultural memory. |
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In 1120, Autun built a pilgrimage church dedicated to Saint Lazarus, whose relics it has held since the 10th century. Saint Lazarus was the friend of the risen Christ. It was the bishop of Autun, Gérard, who brought back the saint’s relics from the abbey of Saint-Victor in Marseille. Two centuries later, the construction of the church of Saint-Lazare made it an effective communication tool. It was now linked to the Basilica of Vézelay, which preserves the relics of Mary Magdalene, Lazarus’ sister.
In 1195, the building became a co-cathedral. Until the 18th century, Autun had a summer cathedral, from Easter to All Saints’ Day (Saint-Lazare), and a winter cathedral, from All Saints’ Day to Easter (Saint-Nazaire).Construction of the cathedral was completed in 1147, with the aim of attracting pilgrims to Compostela to the city, thereby boosting the city’s economy. Built on land granted by Duke Hugues II, close to the cathedral of Saint-Nazaire, the pilgrimage church took the shape of a Latin cross. The side portal faced the entrance to the nave of Saint-Nazaire, creating a real route for pilgrims. The need to accommodate these pilgrims explains the unusual orientation of Saint-Lazare church. Its chancel faces south rather than east, towards Jerusalem, as most churches in France do.
Entering through the side door, pilgrims would first stop off at the Marie-Madeleine chapel, and then a second time, as close as possible to the relics of Saint Lazarus. After a third stop at the chapel of Saint Martha, they emerged under the tympanum of the Last Judgement.
In the 15th century, the exterior of the cathedral was transformed with the addition of chapels between the buttresses and the creation of a Gothic spire by Jean Rolin, reaching a height of 80 metres. The original plan consists of a nave with seven bays surrounded by side aisles. The nave has three levels. You just have to admire the beauty of the details and the grandeur of the construction. In 1469, a fire ravaged the cathedral, which explains the difference in construction from the second level upwards. The first level retains the Romanesque semi-circular bays, while the second level features Gothic lancet windows.
The side aisles contain the funeral chapels created for the great local families. Look up and contemplate the wealth of sculptures in this monument. Look out in particular for the historiated capitals, with their characters and monsters from biblical stories. |
