Saint Michel church. Photo by Olivier Aumage-Wikimedia

Top 10 remarkable facts about Basilica of St Michael


 

The Basilica of Saint Michel is a catholic church located in Place Canteloup. It is located at the heart of the quarter of Saint Michel. A historic site close to the Pont de Pierre, France. It was built in a very unusual design.

It features a cruciform church building and a separate bell tower. The tower is 114 meters making it the tallest city building and the second tallest church in all of France.

In 1846, it was listed in the inventory of historic monuments. In 1903, it was listed as a minor Basilica and in 1998 as a world heritage site.

Here are the top 10 remarkable facts about the Basilica of St Michael. 

1. The Basilica of St Michael is a historic monument

The Saint Michel Basilica is one of the most visited sites in the city of Bordeaux. An incredible treasure that sees more and more people come to visit.

All the guides relay the information saying that if you go to Bordeaux, you have to see the mummies.

2. It was built in a flamboyant style

Basilica Saint Michel. Photo by Tangopaso-Wikimedia

Saint Michel Basilica was built in a very unusual design. It features a cruciform church building and a separate bell tower. The tower which narrows to form an elegant, ornately decorated spire makes the Basilica of St Michael the city’s tallest building.

The ceilings are all painted in the baroque style which makes the interior colorful and interesting even if the individual paintings are not particularly noteworthy. It is also the second tallest church in all of France.

3. The Basilica of St Michael has a dizzying bell tower visible across much of Bordeaux

Fleche Saint Michel. Photo by Wikimediatheodore-Wikimedia

The Saint Michel freestanding bell tower is popularly known as “La Fleche” [the spire]. It is 114 meters high and soars slim and light towards the sky.

The bell tower was built in the 15th century on an ancient burial ground after the construction of the church.

The bell tower was built completely independent from the main church in the XV century.

The tower can be visited from April to October.

4. There is a cemetery and catacombs beneath the church

Federal Street Burial Ground. Photo by Nick-Philly-Wikimedia

In 1881, mummies were discovered in a nearby cemetery. The mummies were exhibited to the public in the late 18th century.

Their shriveled faces haunted the Saint Michel crypt for many years. The remains were transferred to catacombs. There were nearly 70 mummies which attracted thousands of visitors. They were deposited in the crypt of the old chapel of the site.

The visitors included famous authors such as Victor Hugo, Gustave Flaubert, and more recently Ferdinand Celine.

Some of the mummies were given names such as “The family poisoned by mushrooms”, “The African”, “Buried alive” and “The general killed in a Duel”.

5. Saint Michael Basilica had some of the best modern stained glass in Europe

The stained glass windows were destroyed during the bombardment of 1940. Inside the church is typical except for the marvelous 20th-centuryth century windows.

One of the chapels in the Basilica of Saint Michel is given information both on the glass in the Basilica and on the ‘modern masters’.

6. It had 70 mummies in its cemetery

Mummy in Istanbul. Photo by Antoloji-Wikimedia

There were nearly 70 mummies discovered in a cemetery nearby. Their shriveled faces haunted the Saint Michael crypt for many years.

The mummies have attracted thousands of visitors over the years. The corpses are therefore preserved and stuck against each other as in the crypt of the arrow.

7. Basilica of St Michael houses several interesting artifacts

The church pulpit depicts Saint Michael slaying a dragon whilst the central stained glass was designed by Couturat.

Beneath the church lies a cemetery and catacombs from the city’s roman era which lay undiscovered until 1881. The church’s altarpiece and magnificent alabaster have been the subject.

8. It is listed on the UNESCO world heritage list

In 1881, a Gallo-Roman cemetery and catacombs were discovered under the tower with severally naturally mummified bodies.

In 1988, UNESCO designated the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France as a world heritage site. They included the three main churches of Bordeaux; The Basilica of St Severinus, The Basilica of St Michel, and the Cathedral of St Andrew.

9. Basilica of St Michael is one of the tourist attractions in France

The chapel is a major tourist attraction. For only 5 Euros, visitors can discover both the spire and the amazing story of mummies. The mummies discovered in the 18th century in a nearby cemetery were exhibited to the public.

The church was built in a gothic extravaganza on the outside. Inside the church is typical except for the marvelous 20th-century windows. It has some of the best modern stained-glass in Europe.

The main altar is from the 18th century, it is made of colored marble. It has a statue of St Michael the Archangel which was originally in processions around Menton each year. There are several chapels of interest around the church. The bell tower and its crypt are open every day during the tourist season. 

10. It has coffee and wine bars in the square

Caribou coffee. Photo by Bobak Ha’Eri-Wikimedia

If you sit outside at night in one of the main coffee or wine bars in the square, you will enjoy the beautiful view of St Basilica. The square is the location of several weekly fruit and vegetable markets.

The markets are open on Saturdays {7:00 – 13:00} and the flea market on {7:00 – 13:00}. It offers a great alternative to coffee shops, restaurants, and bars.

Bordeaux is widely acclaimed for its prestigious wines making it a prominent gastronomic destination. The square is easy to walk around and view the chapel from all angles.