| The Sacré-Cœur Basilica
(French: Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, "Basilica of the Sacred Heart")
is a Roman Catholic basilica and popular landmark in Paris, France, dedicated
to the Sacred Heart. The basilica is located at the summit of the butte
Montmartre (Montmartre butte), the highest point in the city. The original
idea of constructing a church dedicated to the Sacred Heart developed in
France after the Franco-Prussian War (1870). Architect Paul Abadie designed
the basilica after winning a competition over 77 other architects, but
he died not long after the foundation had been laid, in 1884, and other
architects continued with the work. The overall style of the structure
shows heavy Romano-Byzantine influence. Many design elements of the basilica
are based on nationalist thematic: the portico, with its three arches,
is adorned by two equestrian statues of French national saints Joan of
Arc and King Saint Louis IX, both executed in bronze by Lefebvre; and the
nineteen-ton Savoyarde bell (one of the world's heaviest), cast in 1895
in Annecy, alludes to the annexation of Savoy in 1860. |
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