Basilique Saint-Sernin

The Basilica of Saint-Sernin in Toulouse was begun at the end of the eleventh century and consecrated by Pope Urban II on 24 May 1096; it was essentially complete by the end of the thirteenth century. It houses the tomb of Saint Saturninus, first bishop of Toulouse and Gallo-Roman martyr, in its crypt, and keeps about 128 relics, including those of six apostles. It is one of the largest Romanesque churches preserved in Europe.

Its cruciform plan with a transept of about 65 m, an ambulatory and radiating chapels allowed pilgrims to see the relics without disturbing services. An octagonal bell tower of about 65 m rises above the crossing, and the Miègeville door, on the south side, dates from the first twelfth-century building campaign. Since 1998, the basilica has been inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France.

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