Autun Cathedral

Autun Cathedral

Dating from the early 12th century with later Gothic additions, the Cathédrale St-Lazare is a pilgrimage church famed for its splendid Romanesque sculptures by Gislebertus.

Quick Facts

Go Historic ID: 249043
Names: Autun Cathedral

Cathedral of St. Lazarus

Cathédrale St-Lazare

Cathédrale d'Autun
Location: Autun
Saône-et-Loire
Burgundy
France
Europe
Categories: cathedral
church
art historical sites
pilgrimage sites
pilgrimage churches
Styles: Romanesque
medieval

Bibliography

Seidel, Linda. Legends in Limestone: Lazarus, Gislebertus, and the Cathedral of Autun. .

Legends in Limestone: Lazarus, Gislebertus, and the Cathedral of Autun

Images

Exterior view of the mostly Gothic east end from the southeast. Credit: David Joyal.

West portal in the narthex, decorated with magnificent Romanesque sculptures by Gislebertus from about 1150. The tympanum depicts the Last Judgment and the outer archivolt has medallions of the Four Seasons, the signs of the zodiac, and the Labors of the Month. Credit: David Joyal.

Detail of the Last Judgment tympanum over the west door, sculpted by Gislebertus around 1130. Beneath the feet of Christ (which look a little monkeyish, it must be said), an elegant angel separates the Redeemed from the Damned... Credit: Holly Hayes.

West portal in the narthex, decorated with magnificent Romanesque sculptures by Gislebertus from about 1150. The tympanum depicts the Last Judgment and the outer archivolt has medallions of the Four Seasons, the signs of the zodiac, and the Labors of the Month... Credit: David Joyal.

Four roundels on the left side of the archivolt on the west portal. From left, they depict: two scenes related to the seasons; warming by the fire and slicing bread or cake in January; Aquarius the Water-Carrier. Credit: Holly Hayes.

Four roundels near the left side of the archivolt on the west portal. From left, they depict: Aquarius the Water-Carrier; warming by the fire in February; Pisces; and pruning vines in March. Credit: Holly Hayes.

Romanesque columns and capitals on the right side of the west portal, sculpted around 1135. Credit: David Joyal.

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