Marseille Cathedral

Breathtaking, isn’t it? This magnificent cathedral stands as a symbol of the city’s power. Unlike most French cathedrals, this one was actually built in the 1800s. It’s actually a rebuild – there used to be an older cathedral here, known as the the Old Major (La Vieille Major), since the 12th century, and before that, a church dating back to Roman times! The one before you, the “New Major”, was built in the Byzantine style. It’s truly massive! It’s actually one of the biggest cathedrals in France and can welcome up to 3,000 people. It took a whopping 40 years to build and they used many different materials for its construction – green stone from Florence, fancy white marble from Carrare, mosaics from Venice, and Calissanne stone. Its cupolas and domes remind us of those of the churches in Constantinople. Several architects worked on the edifice over the years; first, there was Léon Vaudoyer, then Jacques Henri Esperandieu, and finally Henri Antoine Révoil. It was, of course, listed as a historical monument back in 1906. They built it in this strategic location to be seen by ships from all over the world and to showcase the beauty of Marseille. Fun fact: Napoleon III himself laid the first stone! As for its architectural style, the cathedral brilliantly fuses Eastern influences with Roman features, thus reflecting the city’s own roots in both East and West. The stripes adorning it on the outside make it pretty unique. The locals even have a nickname just for that – they call it “Pyjama Cathedral”! Its interior is also worth a visit, so if it’s open when you pass by, definitely check it out.