The Cathedrals of Southern FranceMansfield, M. F. (Milburg Francisco)
History
The Cathedrals of Southern France
Mansfield, M. F. (Milburg Francisco)
Cathedrals -- France; France -- Description and travel
With these facts in view it is well to recall that many non-Christian
influences asserted themselves from time to time, and overshadowed for a
temporary period those which were more closely identified with the
growth of the Church. The Commission des Monuments Historiques catalogue
sixteen notable monuments in Arles which are cared for by them: the
Amphitheatre, the remains of the Forum,--now built into the façade of
the Hôtel du Nord,--the remains of the Palais de Constantin, the Abbey
of Montmajour, and the one-time cathedral of St. Trophime, and its
cloister--to particularize but a few.
To-day, as anciently, the ecclesiastical province is known as that of
Aix, Arles, and Embrun. Arles, however, for a time took its place as an
archbishopric, though to-day it joins hands again with Aix and Embrun;
thus, while enjoying the distinction of being ranked as an
archbishopric, its episcopal residence is at Aix.
It was at Arles that the first, and only, English pope--Adrian
Breakspeare--first entered a monastic community, after having been
refused admission to the great establishment at St. Albans in
Hertfordshire, his native place. Here, by the utmost diligence, he
acquired the foundation of that great learning which resulted in his
being so suddenly proclaimed the wearer of the tiara, in 1154.
St. Trophime came to Arles in the first century, and became the first
bishop of the diocese. The first church edifice on this site was
consecrated in 606 by St. Virgil, under the vocable of St. Etienne. In
1152 the present church was built over the remains of St. Trophime,
which were brought thither from St. Honorat des Alyscamps. So far as the
main body of the church is concerned, it was completed by the end of the
twelfth century, and only in its interior is shown the development of
the early ogival style.
The structure was added to in 1430, when the Gothic choir was extended
eastward.
The aisles are diminutively narrow, and the window piercings throughout
are exceedingly small; all of which makes for a lack of brilliancy and
gloom, which may be likened to the average crypt. The only radiance
which ever penetrates this gloomy interior comes at high noon, when the
refulgence of a Mediterranean sun glances through a series of long
lancets, and casts those purple shadows which artists love. Then, and
then only, does the cathedral of St. Trophime offer any inducement to
linger within its non-impressive walls.
The exterior view is, too, dull and gloomy--what there is of it to be
seen from the Place Royale. By far the most lively view is that obtained
from across the ruins of the magnificent Roman theatre just at the rear.
Here the time-resisting qualities of secular Roman buildings combine
with the cathedral to present a bright, sunny, and appealing picture
indeed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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