The Open Door Web Site : Living History Project : Charlemagne : Basilica of Saint Denis : Guided Tour

Brief history of the basilica

Basilica Saint Denis (photo by John hembury)

Legend: France's patron saint Denis was sent to convert the inhabitants of Paris to christianity but he was beheaded by the Romans on the hill at Montmartre. After he was decapitated he picked up his head and carried it 4 miles. Later King Dagobert founded an abbey on the site of his tomb in the 7th century.

Fresco, Basilica St Denis

Abbot Suger is the one who rebuilt the basilica. He was running the country whilst the king Louis VII was off fighting in the crusades. The basilica (church) was constructed around what was already there - including the chapel that had been built over the saint's grave in the 5th century.

Why is it so famous?

Interior, Basilica St Denis (photo by John hembury)

Almost every French king since 996 A.D. has been buried there. The dead have been honoured with sculptures made out of marble. Inside we can see these sculptures which were made between the 12th and the 16th centuries. These became more and more extravagant as time went on - they should look out for the tomb of Henry II and Catherine de Medicis. There is nothing in these tombs however, as they were ransacked and the bones thrown away during the French revolution by the mob.

Interior, Basilica St Denis (photo by John Hembury)

The design as it is the first example of a church with gothic elements. The students should look out for the following:

(i) The design is based on biblical command `let there be light' and inside there is a preoccupation with light, more unified space and larger openings. Inside it is much brighter than your typical medieval cathedral. The design allowed for the use of stained glass windows with colours red and blue.

(ii) the rose window which was the first of its kind.

(iii) use of structural innovations - cross rib vaults and flying buttresses to create space.

Stress that Suger's church transformed western architecture : gothic elements can best be seen in the chancel and ambulatory with its famous stained glass windows.