In the footsteps of Monet - part 2
Continuation. Start here:
Rouen was the capital of one of the Celtic tribes that lived along the English Channel. The settlement was called Rothomagus. After the conquest of Gaul by the Romans, it became the second most important city in Gaul (after Lyon). This was primarily due to the convenient location of both cities on the rivers - the water arteries connecting Albion with Rome. Rouen became a trading center. It retained this role for many centuries, and therefore many industries developed here: porcelain, glass, ceramics, books, fabrics.
In the 4th century, the first cathedral was built and a bishop appeared. In the 9th century, the province and the city were repeatedly robbed by the Vikings, until the Frankish king Charles the Simple gave the land north of Paris to one of the natives of Norway, Rollon, to protect the Frankish kingdom from other Vikings. He participated in the siege of Chartres.
The inhabitants then brought the robes of the Virgin to the walls and for some reason this forced Rollon to retreat from the city (and Chartres became an even more significant center for pilgrims). Moreover, he decided to be baptized. He did it in Rouen. There, in the Notre Dame Cathedral of Rouen, he is buried. Rouen became the capital first of the counts, and then of the dukes of Normandy. And the province transferred under the treaty, which received its name "Normandy" from the name of the "northern people" who came, retained it for many centuries.
The names of many famous people are associated with Rouen. William the Conqueror died in it, lived and not far from it in a monastery.
In the cathedral there are tombstones of Rollon the Pedestrian (after baptism - Count Richard I of Normandy), his son William Longsword (already a duke), Robert the Magnificent or the Devil (whatever you like) - the father of William the Conqueror, Richard the Lionheart Plantagenet (his body is divided into 3 parts, the heart is in this grave). On the site of the Roman amphitheater, a fortress was later built under William the Bastard. It was destroyed by Philip Augustus after the annexation of Normandy by France. After the religious wars and the revolution, a tower remained from the castle he built, where Joan of Arc was kept. Corneille and Flaubert were born in Rouen. The house where Corneille was born now houses his museum. Rouen was visited by Claude Monet, who painted the Rouen Cathedral (its western facade) many times.
Our hotel Kyriad was located almost in the center of the city.
(Perhaps it was the simplest of all the hotels of our trip, with a minimum of amenities. ) So we quickly got to the places for which tourists come to Rouen. Passing the Corneille Museum, we came to the Market Square with the Church of St. Joan of Arc. Then, along the street named after her, past the gate with a clock and beffroy, we reached the Notre Dame Cathedral of Rouen. Then, to the left of it, they went to the Saint-Maclou church. We approached the art school. Then we reached the Saint-Ouen Abbey and returned past the Palace of Justice. In the evening we went to the performance on the facade of the cathedral "Vikings" and "Jeanne". The action takes place only in the summer, will last until September 27. The start time is moved to an earlier time with decreasing day length. At the end of June, the beginning was at 23:00. Duration - 1 hour.
Notre Dame Cathedral of Rouen.
The oldest part of the modern cathedral dates back to the 11th century (north tower, left). The southern tower is called Maslyana (XV century). So named because it was built with the money of those who want to eat oil in fasting. Kind of an indulgence. Inside the cathedral there are sculptures from the facade, the graves of some Norman dukes (Rollon the Pedestrian - walked because no horse could stand him, William Longsword, Robert the Devil or the Magnificent - they say killed his brother to take the ducal throne), Richard the Lion Heart (here only the heart). Behind the cathedral (to the left behind the northern tower) was the episcopal palace. It contained the trial of Joan of Arc. There is a museum dedicated to her nearby.
Saint-Ouen Abbey.
The Benedictine abbey was founded in the 6th century. Named after the Bishop of Rouen Odon (Saint Ouen).
The Romanesque church burned down in the 13th century, in its place in the 14th century they began to build the one that stands now. Its western faç ade was completed only in the 19th century in the Neo-Gothic style.
Since the revolution, the city hall has been located in the complex. The stained-glass windows of the XIV-XV centuries have been preserved in the church. During the war they were dismantled. Now there are concerts. During our visit there was an organ festival. So we also listened to the organ.
City Clock.
city clock
The mechanism dates from the 16th century. Nearby is the Gothic tower of beffroy, where you can climb. On the vaults of the gate under the clock are images of sheep, since Rouen is associated with the production and sale of wool.
The Palace of Justice.
An example of Civil Gothic (left wing, built in the 15th century) and Renaissance. First, the so-called Chamber of the Chessboard was located here, then the Parliament of Normandy.
Church of Saint-Maclou.
Maklu or Malo is a Celtic saint. Built in the 15th century. It was not possible to go inside, because there was a wedding ceremony in the church. Behind the church there used to be a cemetery for the victims of the plague in the 14th century. Then it was converted into an ossuary, consisting of two-story half-timbered buildings on three sides of the courtyard. Later, a fourth side was added, and the result was a modern enclosed courtyard. Now there is an art school and some services for historical heritage.
Church of Saint Joan of Arc.
St. Joan of Arc Church
Following the street named after her, you can walk to the Market Square, where there is a modern church dedicated to the Maid of Orleans. Nearby - the ruins of the temple of Saint-Sauveur, curious in its architecture. Behind the church is the market, which gave the square its name.
One of the houses on the square is the oldest hotel (recognizable by the flags hung on the facade).
Donjon of Rouen Castle or Tower of Joan of Arc.
There is a legend that Jeanne was kept in the dungeon. But it's not. You need to go inside, there is the same tower.
