Basilique St-Saveur of Dinan
Basilica in Dinan & Léhon
The Saint-Sauveur Basilica in Dinan, France, stands as a remarkable testament to the town’s medieval history and architectural evolution. Initially one of two main parish churches alongside Saint-Malo Church, its oldest sections date back to the 12th century. A significant reconstruction in the late 15th century expanded the structure, introducing a northern aisle, a completely rebuilt apse, and a transept, while preserving parts of the original Romanesque facade and south nave wall.
The basilica showcases a blend of Gothic and Renaissance elements, evident in the radiant chapels’ decoration from the early 16th century. However, the church’s history was marked by challenges, including the collapse of its bell tower in 1547, which led to adjustments like forgoing the vaulting of the choir in favor of a paneled framework.
Saint-Sauveur became a focal point for Marian devotion, particularly to Notre-Dame-des-Vertus, a 15th-century bas-relief, which played a key role in its elevation to a minor basilica by Pope Pius XII in 1954. The church holds significant art and historical objects, including the cenotaph of Bertrand du Guesclin’s heart.
Located in Dinan’s protected sector and overlooking the Rance, the basilica is an architectural gem with its Latin cross plan, combining 12th-century Romanesque parts with later Gothic additions. The exterior features a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles, while the interior houses a single nave with a northern aisle, a projecting transept, and an apse with five radiating chapels.
The Saint-Sauveur Basilica not only serves as a place of worship but also as a repository of Dinan’s rich historical and cultural heritage, embodying the town’s dynamic history from the Middle Ages through modern times.
The Basilique St-Saveur of Dinan appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Dinan & Léhon!
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Visiting Basilique St-Saveur of Dinan
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