Montpellier Cathedral, Montpellier
The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Montpellier or Montpellier Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishops of Montpellier.
The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Montpellier or Montpellier Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishops of Montpellier. Originally built as the church of the Monastère-Collège Saint-Benoît Saint-Germain which was founded in 1364, it was elevated to the status of cathedral in 1536. The current Meridional Gothic structure is from a renovation in the 17th century, and is the biggest church in the Languedoc-Roussillon region with a total length of 113 meters.
Once known as the ' Fort Saint-Pierre', the Cathedral resembles a medieval fortress and has 4 machicolated towers at the corners of the nave. The front façade features 2 towers and a monumental porch in the middle. The vaulted canopy is supported by 2 cylindrical pillars of 4.5 metres diameter, which earlier had the coat of arms of Urban V. The lateral Gothic portal dedicated to the Virgin Mary was created by Auguste Baussan. The bell tower has 4 bells – François, Charles, Nicole, and Simone, and is best seen from the Court of Honor of the Faculty of Medicine, which was formerly the cloister of the monastery.
The church has a nave with 5 bays flanked by 14 side chapels, dedicated to Saint Germain, Notre Dame, St. Victor, St. Cecilia, St. Ursula and the 11,000 virgins, St. Martin, St. Catherine, the Holy Cross, St. Peter, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Blaise, St. Lazarus, and St. Michael . The richly ornamented interiors are a contrast to the fort-like exterior. The high altar features a gilded reredos altarpiece, and the right arm of the transept has a 17th century painting by Sébastien Bourdon depicting 'The Fall of Simon the Magician', an episode from the life of Saint Peter. The choir has the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament which contains an 18th century processional cross and an altar by Philippe Koepplin. The minor sacristy holds relics of Saint Benedict, Saint Germain and Saint Blaise. Also of note is the Grand Organ by Jean - François Lépine.
