jjares reviewed on 8/14/2022 + 3294 more book reviews

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart starts with the Druids. Archaeologists believe that Druids conducted their human sacrifices on the hilltop that would later be "Montmarte." After the Druids, a Gallo-Roman temple dedicated to Mercury or Mars would arise on that same hilltop. Trajan Decius martyred St. Denis, the first bishop of Paris. Twenty years later, Parisians built a chapel on the hilltop in St. Denis' honor. Sometime over the next 500 years, the chapel was removed, and the hilltop lay barren.

Over the following years and generations, Parisians faced many catastrophes, including the Franco-Prussian War. After their terrible defeat, two men drafted the National Vow, eventually leading to the construction of the Sacre-Coeur Basilica. The story is impressive. It took 40 years to finish the landmark; protests continued for the duration of its construction.

Today, over 10 million people go to the Basilica each year, walking up the 300+ steps to peer inside the magnificent altar. Yet, with all the construction problems, finishing this cathedral was a miracle. This ebook is an entertaining story.

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