Sacré-Coeur Basilica: Symbol of Faith on a Hill

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The Sacré-Coeur is located on the butte (a steep, high hill) of Montmartre in the center of Paris. Seen here are two stairways to reach the basilica. Its exterior is particularly impressive for its domes and pristine appearance. The façade consists of travertine stones, also known as Château-Landon, which exude calcite on contact with water, naturally whitening the façade. Marcin Krzyzak/Shutterstock

Set on a hill in Montmartre, a district in the heart of Paris, the Sacré-Coeur Basilica is hard to miss. With its chalky-white façade and prominent domes, the structure doesn’t look like any other French religious building. Its origin is as colorful as its stained-glass windows.

In December 1870, following France’s military defeat by Prussia, two men, philanthropist Alexandre Legentil and artist Hubert Rohault de Fleury, took on a spiritual initiative. They led a community effort to erect a church in Paris dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a symbol of the nation’s penitence, faith, trust, and hope. In July 1873, the French Parliament declared that the construction of a new church was in the public interest.

Architect Paul Abadie’s design was selected for the church, out of 77 proposals. Construction began in 1875 but was delayed to resolve an unstable foundation; 83 wells, each 98 feet deep, were dug under the site and filled with rock and concrete to serve as subterranean pillars supporting the basilica.

Building continued for nearly 40 years under five different architects who each made extensive modifications to the original design. The church was completed in 1914.

Typical of the eclecticism often found in European architecture of this time, Abadie’s design stood in stark contrast to Paris’s many Gothic churches, such as Notre Dame. The architect drew his inspiration from churches such as San Marco in Venice and Saint Sofia in Constantinople (Istanbul today).

Abadie’s Neo-Byzantine design included Romanesque influences and incorporated elements from the Byzantine style combined with Eastern and Orthodox Christian architectural elements. Examples of this in the Sacré-Coeur include the Byzantine Greek cross plan, round arches, domes, and the magnificent decorative mosaic on the vault.

A breathtaking view of Paris from the central dome. Built in 1889, the dome is supported by 80 columns and offers the highest viewpoint in Paris after the Eiffel Tower. Viacheslav Lopatin/Shutterstock

A closer view of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica and its triple-arched portico, a Roman-inspired porch supported by columns. Above this porch, at the center, a statue represents the Sacred Heart of Jesus, for which the church is named. The arches of the basilica’s façade have two bronze equestrian statues by Hippolyte-Jules Lefèbvre representing the patron saints of France, Joan of Arc and King Louis IX. Viacheslav Lopatin/Shutterstock

At the top of the dome is the bell tower, which was completed in 1912. This campanile (or bell tower) hosts the largest bell in France, known as the “Savoyarde.” It weighs 19 tons, making it heavier than London’s Big Ben. Boris Edelmann/Shutterstock

Inside the Sacré-Coeur, traditional classical features blend with Neo-Byzantine elements. While the choir, columns, and deambulatory (a covered place for walking) are classically influenced, the mosaic is of Byzantine inspiration. The floor plan is in the shape of a Greek cross, with the dome on top of the crossing, modeled after Byzantine churches. Beautiful landscape/Shutterstock

One of the highlights of the Sacré-Coeur is the apse mosaic. It's composed of 25,000 enameled and gilded ceramic pieces, and covers about 1,558 square feet. The choice of blue and gold is common in Byzantine architecture, as are the double domes and arcades. One of the largest mosaics in the world, the central figure represents Jesus in white, offering his heart with open arms. Surrounding him are the Virgin Mary, the Archangel Michael, and Joan of Arc. A Latin inscription at the mosaic’s base states: “To the Sacred Heart of Jesus, France fervent, penitent, and grateful.” Cynthia Liang/Shutterstock

Above the nave, a very high dome symbolizes the celestial world. The arched columns represent the passage between the terrestrial world (symbolized by the nave) and the celestial world. Gilmanshin/Shutterstock

The stained-glass windows, which feature elaborate patterns and plentiful color, is another important feature of the Neo-Byzantine architectural style. Here, the chapel windows depict the life of French Kings Clovis I and Louis IX. Pit Stock/Shutterstock

The most important stained-glass window in the basilica symbolizes the Sacred Heart of Christ in the center. The circular window is designed with red circles on the outside, and intricately designed sections that surround the central image. At the center of the window, the sacred heart is depicted in red. jorisvo/Shutterstock