The sign read:
Saint Martin, bishop of Tours, died in 397 & was buried in an early Christian cemetery. His successor, St. Brice, had a chapel built over his tomb. A remarkable Basilica was built by bishop Perpetuus (458-488) and consecrated on the 4th of July 471.
A fire totally destroyed the castrum sancti Martini in 994. The treasurer Herve decided upon the construction of a new church, work on which lasted from 1003 to 1014. Numerous fires struck the Basilica, which was repaired, transformed and rebuilt between 1096 and 1175. From 1175-1180, the church vaults where rebuilt, probably in the Plantagenet style. In the XIIth century, a double ambulatory chancel was added, in the style of the Cathedral of Bourges. During the XIV and XVth centuries, work proceeded on the interior of the church (chapel installations, ect…)
A fire totally destroyed the castrum sancti Martini in 994. The treasurer Herve decided upon the construction of a new church, work on which lasted from 1003 to 1014. Numerous fires struck the Basilica, which was repaired, transformed and rebuilt between 1096 and 1175. From 1175-1180, the church vaults where rebuilt, probably in the Plantagenet style. In the XIIth century, a double ambulatory chancel was added, in the style of the Cathedral of Bourges. During the XIV and XVth centuries, work proceeded on the interior of the church (chapel installations, ect…)
The edifice was pillaged by the Huguenots in 1562. During the revolution, it was turned into stables. In 1797, the vaults collapsed. Partially ruined, the edifice was demolished and in 1802 the housing development around the actual “rue des Halles” was undertaken by the Prefet Pommereul.
All that remains today, to give an idea of the scale and dimensions of the original building, are the Clock Tower and the Charlemagne Tower. The site of the tomb of Saint Martin is conserved in the cryp of the Basilica, built in the XIXth century and designed by Victor Laloux.
The markings visible on the “rue des Halles” correspond to the positions of the nave and transept columns of the original building.
Right in front of the Tower was the Baslique of St. Martin.
Basilique St. Martin
From the 4th century, the influence of Saint Martin made Tours the third town of pilgrimage of Christendom after Rome and Jerusalem. In the 5th century, to receive the multitude of pilgrims who flocked to the tomb, the monks built several old people’s homes, one for the nobles and another for the poor. Thus, Martinopole developed, i.e. the town of saint Martin, made up of many trade and craft industries. In the 10th century there were twenty-eight churches here. The new city was then surrounded of a strengthened enclosure and took the name of Chateau-neuf.
The body of Martin brought back of Candes was buried on November 11, 392, along an ancient way, with five hundred steps of the city. Brice, successor of Martin, built on this tomb a small cell.
This place appearing unworthy, Perpet built a splendid basilica in the 5th century to shelter the tomb of the saint. This one knew many destructions, the basilica of the 13th disappeared, except for the “Tour Charlemagne” and the “Tour de l’Horloge”. The current basilica dates from the 19th century. The tomb of Saint Martin is located in the crypt, with the same site as the original tomb.
The entry way was really pretty and inviting.
The only source of light came from the sides of the dome, in the center of the room.
Only one thing was left to do. Descend into the crypt. Nothing spectacular here, just a alter like casket. I did like the tile work on the floor though. I think I might copy it when I build my dream house!
I love my brother, Richy, but he should have told me he had his own Cathedral!
Place La Richie
The former residence of the priests of Notre Dame La Riche parish, was considerably refurbished thanks to the generosity of the congregation who attended the 11 o’clock mass, instituted by the Sieur Boursier and his wife in 1674.
He even has his own gargoyles. I saw this one and laughed. Yea that looks like something my brother would do!
It was getting late. My feet where starting to hurt. It was time to head home. On my way I saw a few photo worthy moments that I knew my sis would have bopped me on the head if I had just ignored them. The mini-tiny historian in me was interested also.
This early 16th century home was built by the Giusti or Juste, a family of sculptors from Florence. They also executed the tomb of Louis XII in the basilica of Saint-Denis near Paris, as well as the basin of the baptismal font in Tours Cathedral.
Then, to my amazement, I saw something that I never thought I would see in France! It was an American Indian holding and eagle statue in the middle of a giant square.
I had to translate the sign. Tried to keep it close to what it said:
April 13, 1743
In Shadwell, Virginia
Symbol of Franco-American friendship
United States Ambassador to France 1785-1789
3ed President of the United States 1801-1809
1789-2009
I passed another really pretty statue before I headed to Tours’ old death row.
If you walked down this lane back in the old days it meant you were either about to be hung or going to watch someone else get hung. It looks so pretty here. You would have never known this was such a bad area.
Last stop, the train station. I had a wonderful, eventful day and it was time to go home. Tours was nice. I’ll have to visit again.
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