Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay, Romanesque minor basilica in 2nd arrondissement of Lyon, France
The Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay is a Romanesque church in the 2nd arrondissement of Lyon, France, and holds the status of a classified historical monument and minor basilica. It has a central nave flanked by side aisles, stone arches, and a bell tower rising above the crossing.
The church was built on the site of a Benedictine priory founded in the 9th century, and the current building was completed toward the end of the 11th century. Pope Paschal II consecrated it shortly after 1100, an event that gave the site lasting standing in the region.
The name of the church honors Saint Martin of Tours, one of the most venerated figures in early Christianity. Inside, visitors can see mosaics and paintings added over many centuries, giving the walls a layered, accumulated feel.
The church stands on Place d'Ainay in the 2nd arrondissement and is easy to reach on foot from the city center. It is worth timing a visit outside of religious services if you want to move around and look at the architecture without interruption.
Four granite columns inside the church originally came from a Roman temple that once stood on the Fourvière hill and was demolished long ago. They were moved here and now support arches within the nave, even though they were made for a completely different building.
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