Top 10 Amazing Facts about Cathedral Saint Jean Baptiste

Cathédrale Catholic. Photo by alexmodesto73 on Wikimedia

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Cathedral Saint Jean Baptiste

Cathedral Saint Jean Baptiste is a Roman Catholic church. It is located on Place Saint-Jran in Central Lyon, France.

The Cathedral is the main church of the diocese of Lyon. The Bishop sits in that symbolic place where he teaches and accompanies the believers in their faithful lives.

 Its construction spans three centuries. Begun in 1180 on the ruins of a 6th-century church, it was completed in 1476. Despite its long construction time, it has a relatively consistent architectural style.

The cathedral was founded by Saint Pothinus and Saint Irenaeus. These were the first two bishops of Lyon. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist.

The portals of its Flamboyant Gothic facade, completed in 1480 and recently renovated, are decorated with 280 square stone medallions. Inside, the highlight is the astronomical clock in the north transept.

During the Fête des Lumières(Festival of Light) the cathedral plays a starring role, with vivid projections lighting up the main façade. In 1998, the building, along with other historic sites in the centre of Lyon, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Here are the Top 10 Amazing Facts about Cathedral Saint Jean Baptiste:

1. The Cathedral took Over Four Hundred Years to Construct

The construction of the cathedral began in 1180 and was completed on 1476. It was built on the ruins of a 7th-century church. Patiens of Lyon, who was bishop around 450 AD, built a new cathedral, dedicated to Saint Stephen. Later, in the seventh century, a baptistery dedicated to Saint John was constructed as an accessory building to the church. The Church of St. Croix was also near. This location later became the site of the Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

During different periods the popes, the Kings of France, the arch-bishops of Lyon and the Chapter contributed towards the Expenses. Despite its long construction time, it has a relatively consistent architectural style.

The building is 80 meters long (internally), 20 meters wide at the choir, and 32.5 meters high in the nave. The apse and choir are of Romanesque design; the nave and façade are Gothic.

2. It is also known as Primatiale

cathédrale catholic. Photo by alexmodesto73 on Wikimedia

The cathedral can be known as Primatiale. This is because, in 1079, the Pope granted the archbishop of Lyon the title of Primates of All of the Gauls with legal supremacy over the primary archbishops of the kingdom.

3. The Altar is Remarkable for the Two Crosses it Bears

The altar of the cathedral has two crosses one at each extremity. They date back to the thirteenth century. They were placed there to preserve the memory of the Union of the Latin and Greek Churches.

4. A suite of Chapels Extend along the Aisles

Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne – Chœur – Stalles. Photo by MOSSOT on Wikimedia

The chapels were founded at different times by the arch-bishops and canons. The most notable chapel is that which stands nearest to the entrance on the right.

 This chapel was founded by Cardinal Charles De Bourbon. He was the archbishop of Lyon towards the middle of the fifteenth century.

The chapel is an exquisite specimen of the later Gothic style. It is distinguished for the richness, variety and delicacy of its ornaments.

Within the chapel, there are the arms of the founder and his brother  Pierre of Bourbon. The Altar in this chapel has an inscription. The inscription shows that the heart of Cardinal Alphonse de Richelieu, archbishop of Lyon, was deposited there.

5. The cathedral is the Site of the Famed Lyon Astronomical Clock

The Astronomical clock dates to the 15th century. It was built by N. Lippius of Basle. The clock was finished in 1598. The mechanism is wrought iron and includes a perpetual calendar and a religious calendar. A complete system of astronomy in action.

The clock is built in the form of a square tower. It stands 9 meters tall and indicates the position of the sun, moon, earth and stars. It also features automated figures: several angels, an hourglass, a dove and the Virgin Mary.

The mechanical effects that accompany the clock are very singular. A cock that is elevated on the summit of the dome announces the hour by clapping the wings and crowing. The clock also has a chime of little bells that play the air hymn of St. John.

Several moving figures [automatons] ‘come to life’ momentarily at noon, two and three o’clock. The automatons include animals and a scene depicting the Annunciation.

6. Cathedral Saint Jean Baptiste has Two Organs

The sight of the nave and choir of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne cathedral, in Savoie, France. Photo by Florian Pépellin on Wikimedia

The current main organ was built in 1841 by the company Daublaine et Callinet with the neo-gothique style case designed by Bossanet and revised by Desjardins. From 1852, organ builder Pierre-Alexandre Ducroquet worked on the instrument.

The transept organ was built in 1974 by Jürgen Ahrend. This organ is based on the idea of a form that is both strong and unified. It was designed according to the principles of French classical organ building.

This organ was designed and built entirely in Leer (in East Friesland). In 1979, it was disassembled and stored in a barn at Blondiaux Manziat (Bresse). In 1981, it was installed in the church of the monastery Cluniac Payerne (Switzerland), and since 1996, installed in the north transept of Lyon cathedral.

7. The Cathedral is Rich in Stained Glasses

Organ of the Saint Jean-Baptiste cathedral of Alès. Photo by Marianne Casamance on Wikimedia

Lyon Cathedral has a few very nice 13th-century stained glass windows, and Medieval art. The Stained-glass are much simpler, abstract patterns with one predominant colour or another. There are pink windows, blue windows, yellow windows, and purple and green windows.

8. Cathedral Saint Jean Baptiste Features the Festival of Light

The Festival of light is held each December. The tradition dates to 1643 When people of Lyon would place a lit candle in the window.

The custom is still maintained by many residents to this day. During the festival, a choreographed light display appears on the facade of the cathedral.

9. Two Arch-bishops of Lyon were Buried at Cathedral Saint Jean Baptiste

Joseph-Alfred Foulon was a French Roman Catholic Cardinal and Archbishop of Lyon. The cardinal was ordained a priest on 18 December 1847 in Paris, where he taught for twelve years in the minor seminary.

He was elected bishop of Nancy on 27 March 1867. He took part in the First Vatican Council. Pope Leo XIII created him, a cardinal priest, in the consistory of 24 May 1889 with the title of Sant’Eusebio.

Cardinal Foulon died on 23 January 1893 in Lyon. He was buried in Lyon Cathedral.

Pierre-Marie Gerlier was a French Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Lyon from 1937 until his death and was Primate of Gaul.

He was elevated to the cardinalate in 1937. The Cardinal died from a heart attack in Lyon, at age 85. He is buried in Lyon Cathedral.

10. The Cathedral is Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List

The sight of the cloister of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne cathedral, in Savoie, France. Photo by Florian Pépellin on Wikimedia

The cathedral was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998. It was listed along with other historic sites in the centre of Lyon.