Marseille is France’s second largest city. Located in the Provence region, it has the major port of the country. This Cathedral was built near the port to showcase the importance of the city that was growing around the port. It is the newer of the cathedrals in France. Construction began in 1852 when Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte laid the first stone. Over the forty years of its construction there were three architects in charge of its construction. Léon Vaudoyer died in 1872 followed by Jacques Henri Espérandieu who died two years later. They were responsible for the site and major structural construction. Henri Antoine Révoil was the new architect of the Cathedral. He was mainly responsible for the interior decoration using mosaic, sculpture and bronze.
Learn more on the web at https://www.marseille-tourisme.com/en/discover-marseille/culture-heritage/discover-the-sites-and-monuments-in-marseille/cathedrale-de-la-major-marseilles-cathedral/
As beautiful as the cathedral is on the outside, inside there are many more captivating displays of art.
Large sculptures of the saints are carved in great detail. Click on the picture to see them in more detail.
In early November there was a well lit nativity display. (more detailed views available.)
I believe this small organ was dedicated to Sainte Marie Majeure, the other name of this cathedral, but it is unlikely this one fills the cathedral with organ concert music that reverberates through all of its chapels.
Not all of the art is contained within the cathedral. The square is surrounded by cafes and shops and apartments. One proudly displays a historic mural.
Next to the Cathedral, the previous worship building has been maintained. ( bottom right corner of the second picture below)
Wow! So much for the eyes to feast on. I’m awe struck. Thanks for the photos, Doug.
Thanks Lily. You probably viewed it before I added the videos. You might want to look again.
I loved it! My vision for a tour was to visit all the cathedrals then I started counting. Thanks for the pictures – they are precious and well done.
Thanks for the comment. You could start with the largest or closest and work from there. Then there are mosques and Basilicas.
Doug, what beauty! What truly fine art. And so appropriate for Holy Week, at least in the first video, with Jesus trying to hold up the Cross. I love the sheep in the (what’s the word) diorama just before the image of the small organ. Also breathtaking is the large mural on the side of the building. Gasp! Thanks so much for sharing these images.
Uh oh. My comment disappeared. Summary: GASP, gorgeous, thanks!