Bazas Cathedral facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bazas Cathedral Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Bazas
Bazas Cathedral
Religion
Affiliation	Roman Catholic Church
Province	Bishop of Bazas
Region	Gironde
Rite	Roman
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	cathedral
Status	Active
Location
Location	Bazas, France
Architecture
Architectural type	church
Architectural style	Gothic, Neoclassical
Groundbreaking	13th century
Completed	18th century

Bazas Cathedral (French: Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Bazas) is a large Roman Catholic church in Bazas, Gironde, France. It is a very old and important building, recognized as a national monument in France.

This cathedral is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. It stands proudly in the town, at the end of a wide, open area called the parvis. For a long time, Bazas Cathedral was the main church for a bishop, who is a high-ranking leader in the Christian church.

History of Bazas Cathedral

Building a Gothic Masterpiece

Bazas Cathedral was mostly built between the 13th and 14th centuries. Its design was inspired by the grand Gothic cathedrals found in northern France. Gothic style is known for its tall spires, pointed arches, and large stained-glass windows.

Changes Over Time

The front of the cathedral, called the west front, is quite special. It has three distinct parts:

• The first part has three Gothic doorways from the 13th century, with some of their original sculptures still visible.
• Above that, the second part features a beautiful rose window that was added in 1537. A rose window is a large, circular stained-glass window.
• The third and top part is a Neoclassical gable, which was built much later in 1723. Neoclassical style is inspired by ancient Greek and Roman buildings.

The bell tower, located on the north side, has parts that date back to the 11th century. This shows how different styles and building periods have shaped the cathedral over hundreds of years.

Inside the Cathedral

The inside of Bazas Cathedral is long and narrow, without a transept (the part of a cross-shaped church that crosses the main body). Sadly, the interior was badly damaged in 1561 during the French Wars of Religion. These were a series of conflicts between Catholics and Protestants (called Huguenots in France).

After the damage, the inside of the cathedral was completely rebuilt. This work took many years, from 1583 to 1635.

World Heritage Site

Bazas Cathedral is not just important locally; it's also recognized globally. It is part of the World Heritage Sites of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France. These routes are ancient pilgrimage paths that lead to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Being a World Heritage Site means the cathedral is considered very important for everyone to protect and enjoy.

See also

In Spanish: Catedral de Bazas para niños