HeritagePhoto Wikimedia CommonsCathedrale St. Sauveur
France
The cathedral is located on the route of the old via Aurelia. A fragment of Roman wall as well as the columns of the baptistery seem to have forged the legend according to which Saint-Sauveur was erected on the site of an ancient temple dedicated to Apollo. Historian Pitton (1654) claimed that this temple was dedicated to a solar deity, relying on the discovery of a statue with an uncovered thigh to substantiate his claims.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, the spiritual and historical epicenter of Aix-en-Provence. This building is not a single structure but an extraordinary architectural palimpsest—a site where layers of history, from the…
Listen in the app2The Baptistery — Merovingian Roots
One of the oldest and most atmospheric parts of the cathedral is the Merovingian Baptistery, dating back to the 5th or 6th century. This circular space is a rare survivor from the early Christian era. …
Listen in the app3The Portal — A Gothic Masterpiece in Wood
The main entrance of the cathedral features a pair of extraordinarily intricate walnut doors, carved in the early 16th century. These are typically protected by wooden shutters and are only revealed on special occasions or for…
Listen in the app4The Gothic Nave — Soaring Aspirations
Upon entering the main body of the cathedral, you are struck by the height and light of the Gothic nave. Built primarily in the 13th and 14th centuries, it represents the heart of the medieval cathedral. …
Listen in the app5The Roman Foundations — A Glimpse of the Forum
Because the cathedral is built directly on the site of the Roman forum, its floor plan is literally dictated by the city's ancient history. In certain areas of the building, archaeological excavations have revealed the original…
Listen in the app6The Cloister — Romanesque Serenity
Hidden on the southern side of the cathedral is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Aix: the 12th-century Romanesque cloister. This was a place of meditation and study for the cathedral's canons. …
Listen in the app7The Baroque Nave — The Age of the Nobility
Completing the architectural trio is the Baroque nave, added in the 17th century. This was the era of the 'Grand Bourgeois' and the noble families who built the Mazarin district. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our visit to the Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, reflect on the incredible journey you have just taken through twelve centuries of architectural and spiritual history. From the ancient Roman paving stones beneath your…
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What is Cathedrale St. Sauveur?
Cathedrale St. Sauveur is a place in France with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | France |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 43.5339, 5.4471 |
| Last updated |
