Nîmes Cathedral

Nîmes, France

Nîmes Cathedral is believed to stand on the site of the former Roman temple of Augustus. It is partly Romanesque and partly Gothic in style. The first cathedral was consecrated in 1096. The current appearance dates mainly from the 17th century. In 1822 the original Romanesque portal was demolished. The organ dates from 1643.

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Address

Rue Saint-Castor 2B, Nîmes, France
See all sites in Nîmes

Details

Founded: 1096
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Arena of Nîmes (0,4 km)
Maison Carrée (0,3 km)
Jardins de la Fontaine (0,9 km)
Temple of Diana (1 km)
Museum of Old Nîmes (0,1 km)
Tour Magne (1 km)


Arles Amphitheatre (28,1 km)
Palais des Papes (38 km)
Avignon Cathedral (38 km)
Arles Roman Theatre (28,1 km)
St. Trophime Church (28 km)
Arles Obelisk (28 km)
Musée du Petit Palais (37,9 km)
Arles Cryptoporticus (28 km)
Pont du Gard (18,5 km)

User Reviews

Silvia Ceballos (3 years ago)
Ancient building and beautiful inside decoration, won't be disappointed if you visit, restricted visit times.
A H (3 years ago)
From the outside, the Cathedral ND is impressive, but because it closed at noon we unable to go inside - which was a real pity indeed. Nimes is a small compact city and this is one of the three must-see sights, so it's worth ensuring you get there when it is actually open (and check that it will be open... as the website is badly designed and not greatly helpful!) We thoroughly enjoyed Nimes. Should we be returning to the south of France this little town will be on our revisit list, if only to try to make sure that we arrive when the cathedral is open for viewing!
Edward F. Sodmann (3 years ago)
France's churches are wonderful. Go visit!
satpal jat (4 years ago)
Beautiful church. Peaceful holly place
Ognian Dimitrov (4 years ago)
Outside, the cathedral is impressive. Because closing at noon we could not get inside. The city is small and this is one of the sights, so it's worth seeing.
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Palazzo Colonna

The Palazzo Colonna is a palatial block of buildings built in part over ruins of an old Roman Serapeum, and has belonged to the prestigious Colonna family for over twenty generations.

The first part of the palace dates from the 13th century, and tradition holds that the building hosted Dante in his visit to Rome. The first documentary mention notes that the property hosted Cardinal Giovanni and Giacomo Colonna in the 13th century. It was also home to Cardinal Oddone Colonna before he ascended to the papacy as Martin V (1417–1431).

With his passing, the palace was sacked during feuds, and the main property passed into the hands of the Della Rovere family. It returned to the Colonna family when Marcantonio I Colonna married Lucrezia Gara Franciotti Della Rovere, the niece of pope Julius II. The Colonna"s alliance to the Habsburg power, likely protected the palace from looting during the Sack of Rome (1527).

Starting with Filippo Colonna (1578–1639) many changes have refurbished and create a unitary complex around a central garden. Architects including Girolamo Rainaldi and Paolo Marucelli labored on specific projects. Only in the 17th and 18th centuries were the main facades completed. Much of this design was completed by Antonio del Grande (including the grand gallery), and Girolamo Fontana (decoration of gallery). In the 18th century, the long low facade designed by Nicola Michetti with later additions by Paolo Posi with taller corner blocks (facing Piazza Apostoli) was constructed recalls earlier structures resembling a fortification.

The main gallery (completed 1703) and the masterful Colonna art collection was acquired after 1650 by both the cardinal Girolamo I Colonna and his nephew the Connestabile Lorenzo Onofrio Colonna and includes works by Lorenzo Monaco, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Palma the Elder, Salviati, Bronzino, Tintoretto, Pietro da Cortona, Annibale Carracci (painting of The Beaneater), Guercino, Francesco Albani, Muziano and Guido Reni. Ceiling frescoes by Filippo Gherardi, Giovanni Coli, Sebastiano Ricci, and Giuseppe Bartolomeo Chiari celebrate the role of Marcantonio II Colonna in the battle of Lepanto (1571). The gallery is open to the public on Saturday mornings.

The older wing of the complex known as the Princess Isabelle"s apartments, but once housing Martin V"s library and palace, contains frescoes by Pinturicchio, Antonio Tempesta, Crescenzio Onofri, Giacinto Gimignani, and Carlo Cesi. It contains a collection of landscapes and genre scenes by painters like Gaspard Dughet, Caspar Van Wittel (Vanvitelli), and Jan Brueghel the Elder.

Along with the possessions of the Doria-Pamphilij and Pallavacini-Rospigliosi families, this is one of the largest private art collections in Rome.

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