Greetings again! I bet you’ve all been itching to hear what I’ve got in store for this post. Well, it’s none other than the Panthéon! This colossal building, very reminiscent of greco-roman architecture, with its large pillars supporting a triangular front and its semicircle dome at the top is a sight to behold. The pediment of the building supports a huge bas-relief, which shows many of France’s most important statesmen, scholars, or soldiers surrounding the personification of the French nation. Below it, it states that the monument is dedicated to “the grand men that the homeland recognizes”.
The interior of the building is just as beautiful and full of historical significance. Murals line the walls depicting some of France’s most important historical figures. One of the most prominent figures depicted is Saint Genevive, the patron and protector of Paris. Alive during the 5th century, she helped save Paris from destruction at the hands of the Huns, and performed multitudes of miracles, both before and after her death. Murals depict her entire life, from her childhood to her time defending Paris, until her death, and even after her death, when her name was invoked to perform miracles in times of need. Another important figure depicted is Clovis, the first king of France and progenitor of the first dynasty of rulers. A series of murals depicts his conversion to Christianity following an intense battle, his baptism, and his coronation. And, of course, there is Joan of Arc. Multiple murals depict her setting out on her adventure after hearing the voice of god, the important battles she won, and her eventual burning at the stake.
However, the real history of the Panthéon isn’t found upstairs. Below the building lies the crypts, where famous heroes of the country are actually buried. Famous figures such as the philosophers Voltaire and Jean Jaques Rousseau are buried in ornate wooden coffins, which describe their contributions to the french nation. Other famous figures buried beneath the Panthéon include Marie Curie, who discovered radiation, poets and authors such as Alexandre Dumas, Émile Zola, and Victor Hugo, as well as Joséphine Baker, an African-American dancer who moved to France in the 1920s. Joséphine was one of the most famous dancers of her time, acted as a spy during World War 2, and was a prominent civil rights activist. Seeing all these famous figures interred there was an indescribable feeling. For so long I had read about these people in books, but actually knowing that the person was lying right in front of me was an almost surreal experience.
Unfortunately, that’s about it for this post! I wouldn’t want to take up too much for your time now, would I? Plus, you’ll all have plenty to read about in my next post. I’m confident it will be one of the best ones yet.
