Dol Cathedral

The Cathedral of Saint -Samson in Dol -de- Bretagne is located in Brittany in France.

History

As the founder of the city of Dol Saint Samson applies, an immigrant in the 6th century monk. Because of its border position between Brittany and Normandy Dol was by the Normans ravaged by numerous sieges and repeatedly occupied and looted. 1203 Dol was captured by the English King John. He burned down the Romanesque chapel. Allegedly because of religious conscience he paid for reparation money for the construction of the present cathedral. Under Bishop Jean de Lisannet (1203-1231) was rebuilt. His successors completed the choir. About 80 bishops had the bishopric until 1795 held.

During the French Revolution, the cathedral was converted into a " Temple of Reason " and eventually served as stables, granary and Ballhaus. 1801 the bishopric was restored. Since 1880, the Archbishop of Rennes is also Archbishop of Dol and Saint- Malo.

The present cathedral was built over a longer period. Western façade dates back to the middle part of the 12th century and the rest of the former Romanesque church. In the Gothic period were added on the south side added two goals: the smaller the 13th century, the larger ( " Grand Porche " ) in the 14th century. In the 15th century, the south tower was built on Roman foundations, the narrow Campanile followed in the 17th century. Worth mentioning is a characteristic of the interior: The main services are faced with the pillars and are not associated with them.

The length of the cathedral is about 100 meters, the height of the nave 20.5 meters.

Organ

The organ dates back to an instrument that was built in the 16th century. This instrument today is only the organ case available, which was built in 1575 by the artist Lourdel. The organ itself has been expanded several times and restored over time. After the Positif had been removed in 1948, this was added back in 1977. The organ now has 38 registers on three manuals and pedal. The tracker action are mechanical.