SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL
A very modern cathedral with stained glass windows, mosaics and a reinforced concrete roof resting on eight enormous columns.
Sacré-Coeur Cathedral is distinguished by its modernist architecture. Its construction in 1962 was the consecration of a vow made by Mgr Leynaud in 1944 and Mgr Duval in 1958.
Built to plans by Paul Herbé and Jean Le Couteur, it replaces Saint-Philippe Cathedral, which was returned to Muslim worship on independence.
The hyperboloid "tower" rises to 35m. The interior is striking. The dome, topped by a rose window, rests on four concrete arches supported by eight pillars. The interplay of lines and the use of concrete perfectly recreate the idea of the tent of God according to St. John's Gospel, conceived by architects Paul Herbé and Jean Le Couteur.
The carpets were donated by Louis Philippe to Saint-Philippe Cathedral. The Berber chest was donated to the cathedral by the monks of Tibhirine eleven days before their abduction and murder. The Carrara marble altar, weighing 6 tonnes, holds the relics of the African saints Victor and Fulgence.
The lectern was donated by Napoleon III, and the antiphonary belonged to the Trappists of Staouéli. The authentic marble columns come from the Tamentfoust church. At the back of the nave, the mosaic, dating from 324, comes from the first basilica of Castrum Tingitanum (Chlef, ex-Orléansville). A unique piece of ancient Christian art, it is believed to be the earliest representation of the Church in the form of a labyrinth. The organ was donated by the parish of Boufarik. The stained glass windows are the work of master glass artist Henri Martin Granel.
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
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