Saint-Denis Abbey
Introduction
The Basilica of Saint-Denis (in Spanish, Saint Dionysius) is a primitive Gothic or preclassical church, famous for being the first to be built in the Gothic style, as well as for being the burial place of most of the kings of France. It is located in Saint-Denis, near Paris. It has had the status of cathedral (of the diocese of Saint-Denis) since 1966, although it continues to function as an abbey, in addition to that of a basilica, since it officially has the title of minor basilica.[1].
History
There has been a cemetery in Saint-Denis since the Late Empire. In the century a mausoleum was erected in the same place where the main altar is today. In the 19th century, Saint Genevieve acquired the surrounding lands and had a church built, which was enlarged twice during the Merovingian era, especially during the reign of Dagobert I. Around the year 630, Saint Dionysius (first bishop of Paris) was buried there along with two of his companions: the priest Rusticus and the deacon Eleutherus. Around 750, construction of a new sanctuary began by order of Pepin the Short. During the Carolingian era, a basilica-shaped church was built, with three naves and a transept, which was renovated over the years until the 19th century. During the first half of the century, Abbot Suger, advisor to Louis VI the Fat and Louis the Younger, had the Carolingian ambulatory demolished and the first Gothic work erected. The architectural works were undertaken between 1140 and 1144.[2] Under Suger the abbey acquired more importance; Royalties were kept there and it became a royal and dynastic necropolis.
Since the death of Hugh Capet, the basilica contains the tombs of the kings of France, except that of Philip I, who was buried in the monastery of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire.
The first of the Capetian kings, Hugh Capet, was lay abbot "Lay (Catholic Church)") of Saint-Denis, who took advantage of the abbey's potential to strengthen his power.
On August 22, 1291, a bull of Pope Nicholas IV, signed in Orvieto, ratified the bull of Celestine III that granted the religious of Saint-Denis the privilege of not being subject to any canonical sanction from whoever came (except those of their abbots), without having a special license from the sovereign pontiff.
The kings of France went to the Abbey of Saint-Denis to pray and take the oriflamme before going to war or the crusades.
During the Wars of Religion, Protestants and Catholics clashed in 1576 in a violent battle, and in 1593 Henry IV renounced Protestantism to ascend the throne.