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ST SEVERIN CHURCH
The Church of the Travelor
by Lisa Sanderson
One of the most beautiful Gothic churches
in Paris, Saint Severin, on the Left Bank, cannot fail to impress any
visitor. This huge and cavernous church is filled with interesting
statues, paintings and chapels and provides something new to discover
on every visit. The groined vaulting and the small modern chapel with
its unusual statue of Jesus without a cross are especially interesting.
The Rue St. Severin was named after the
church. It features arguably some of the cheapest restaurants in Paris
with delicious Greek food — yet another reason to visit this
lovely area of the city!
The first basilica was built on the site in
the sixth century and named after a wise hermit who lived here. One of
his famous disciples was Saint Cloud — the grandson of the
Frankish King Clovis and Saint Clotilde — who decided to become a
monk instead of claiming his Frankish kingdom. The basilica was
destroyed later by the Vikings.
Although named after Saint Severin, this
church is also known as the church of the travelers because it had a
chapel dedicated to St. Martin. Those leaving on pilgrimage would
dedicate their horse shoes to St. Martin and attach them to his image
after they crossed the Petit Pont nearby, the bridge used in medieval times.
The image of Saint Martin shows his
encountering a beggar. As Saint Martin had nothing to give but the
clothes on his back, he gave his heavy officer's cloak which he cut in
half to the impoverished man. Later Christ thanked him by appearing to
him in a vision wearing the cloak.
In the double ambulatory the vaulting
represents pillar-palm trees, exquisite and intricate, this is probably
the most beautiful section of the ancient church. The reflected light
sparkles here, contrasting with the dark interior of the rest of the
church. At the famous Christian ceremony of Pentecost pigeons used to
be sent through holes in the vaulting symbolizing the descent of the
Holy Spirit on the disciples.
After leaving St. Severin, walk to the
nearby church of St. Julien Le Pauvre, the oldest church in Paris, also
well worth seeing.
Useful Information
St Severin Church
1, rue des Prêtres Saint Séverin
75005 Paris
Nearest metro station: St Michel
Lisa Sanderson is a talented contributor to
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