Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Lyon
I was enjoying my walk in the wonderfully preserved Vieux Lyon which is the old town of Lyon. Walking here makes one feel like they were transported back hundreds of years back into the past. One thing was noticeably missing was that there didn’t seem to be any important buildings here. Sure there were these pretty cobblestone streets lined with interesting shops but there didn’t seem to be a building which was noteworthy. That soon came to an end when I ran into what is probably the most important building here in Vieux Lyon – Saint John the Baptist Cathedral. Any old town in Europe would certainly have an old church of their own. Lyon was no different.
Facade of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Lyon
The cathedral of Lyon was started construction in the 12th century but didn’t finish until the 15th. It was certainly a long time for a construction project. It stands in front of a plaza which is also dedicated to Saint John the Baptist as well. As what one would expect, the cathedral is the seat of the diocese of Lyon. The cathedral has the distinction of being founded by two saints – Saint Pothinus and Saint Irenaeus who happen to be the first two bishops of Lyon. With such a pedigree, it certainly much be an interesting structure. I can’t wait to get in.
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