Imagine ships arriving from all over the world. These ships would see the power and beauty of Marseille from afar. That was the idea behind the location of Cathédrale de la Major.
Welcome to the Cathédrale de la Major. Locals simply call it “La Major”. This magnificent cathedral is more than just a building. It’s a statement of Marseille’s 19th-century ambition.
Marseille was booming. The city needed a cathedral to reflect its status. It was the second largest city and the first port in France. Building a new cathedral hadn’t been done in two centuries. So this project was innovative. It was as innovative as building a new train station.
Construction started in 1852. Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte himself laid the first stone. The plans came from the mind of Léon Vaudoyer. Vaudoyer’s vision was grand. He wanted a cathedral rivaling St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It needed to hold 3,000 people.
The location was strategic. It stood near the new commercial port at La Joliette. Ships arriving from distant lands would immediately see La Major. They would carry that image of Marseille’s grandeur back home.
Building La Major took over forty years. Léon Vaudoyer died in 1872. Jacques Henri Espérandieu took over. He was already working on Notre-Dame de la Garde. Espérandieu focused on the frameworks and domes. Sadly, he also passed away in 1874.
Henri Antoine Révoil stepped in. His main task was the interior decoration. He filled La Major with mosaics sculptures and bronze work. The interior shines with marble and porphyry.
Finally, in 1893, the Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure was complete. It was given to Monseigneur Jean-Louis Robert. In 1896 Pope Léon XIII made it a minor basilica. The cathedral was consecrated in 1897.
La Major stands as the only cathedral built in France during the 19th century. Its design blends Romanesque and Byzantine styles. Look at the green and white stones. Notice the mosaics and domes. They reflect both Western and Eastern influences.
The cathedral is structured in three parts. There is a monumental portico with two towers. Then, an imposing nave. Finally, a massive sanctuary. This architectural ensemble is truly extraordinary. Nothing like it was built in the 19th century.
Today, Cathédrale de la Major is a historical monument since 1906. It is a testament to Marseille’s rich history and cultural significance. Take a moment to appreciate the scale and artistry of this remarkable building. It is a true symbol of Marseille. A symbol that welcomes all who arrive by sea.