Orléans Cathedral
Orléans Cathedral (also known as the Cathédrale Sainte-Croix) was built in the late 10th century, and has since been remodelled multiple times. In 987, Orléans became a royal city, and the construction of the cathedral was patronised by Hugh Capet; building work lasted for more than a century. The importance of the city rivalled that of Paris. The medieval city was severely damaged during the Hundred Years War with England and the Wars of Religion.[1][2] In 1599, work began on rebuilding the cathedral and was commissioned by King Henry IV. However, this was not complete until the 19th century.[3]
Since 1862, the cathedral has been designated a monument historique, one of 156 such sites in Orléans and is amongst the oldest of them (especially since few of the city's medieval buildings survive). The cathedral Sainte-Croix is owned by the French state and open to the public.[4][5]
Reference
- ↑ Clark, William W. (2006). Medieval Cathedrals. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp 21–22. ISBN 9780313326936.
- ↑ Kibler, William W. (2006). Medieval France: An Encyclopedia. Taylor & Francis. p 1292. ISBN 0-203-34487-1.
- ↑ Garrett, Martin (2010). The Loire: A Cultural History. Oxford University Press. p 64. ISBN 978-0-19-976838-7.
- ↑ Monuments historiques: Cathédrale Sainte-Croix, Culture.gouv.fr, accessed 15 August 2013.
- ↑ Search of monuments historique in Orléans, Culture.gouv.fr, accessed 15 August 2013.