Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral — Attraction in Lyon

The Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste, also known as Saint John the Baptist Cathedral, is a stunning Gothic cathedral located in the heart of Lyon's Old Town (Vieux Lyon). This architectural masterpiece is notable for its rich history, beautiful design, and significant role in the city's religious and cultural life.

Construction of the cathedral began in the 12th century and continued for several centuries, resulting in a unique blend of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. The cathedral is renowned for its impressive façade, intricate sculptures, and magnificent stained glass windows, some of which date back to the 13th century. The interior is equally captivating, featuring a grand nave, beautiful chapels, and exquisite altarpieces.

One of the most remarkable features of the Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste is its astronomical clock, which dates back to the 14th century. The clock not only tells the time but also displays the phases of the moon and various astronomical information, making it a fascinating piece of medieval engineering.

The cathedral has been a significant site for various historical events, including royal ceremonies and important religious gatherings. It is also the seat of the Archdiocese of Lyon.

Visitors to the Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste can explore its stunning architecture, attend mass or special services, and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of this historic site. The cathedral is a must-visit for anyone interested in history, architecture, or spirituality while exploring the beautiful...

The Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Lyon is a remarkable blend of spiritual significance and historical grandeur. Situated in the heart of Vieux Lyon, this cathedral is not only an architectural masterpiece but also houses one of the most fascinating timepieces in Europe: the Lyon Astronomical Clock.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1180 and was completed in 1476, showcasing a harmonious blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. As the seat of the Archbishop of Lyon, it has been central to the city’s religious life for centuries. The cathedral’s façade and interior are adorned with intricate details that reflect its historical importance .

One of the cathedral’s most captivating features is its astronomical clock, a 9-meter-tall marvel dating back to the 14th century. Reconstructed in 1661 by Guillaume Nourrisson after its destruction in 1562, the clock is a testament to medieval engineering and artistry .  

The clock’s intricate mechanism includes an astrolabe that indicates the date and positions of celestial bodies, as well as a perpetual calendar accurate until the year 3008 . Its automata perform a daily show at noon, 2 PM, 3 PM, and 4 PM, featuring figures like angels striking bells and a...

Today is the first day of daylight saving time in the US that means the clocks move forward by one hour, with the time changes taking place at 2:00 am local time. Here you are seeing the astronomical clock at Lyon Cathedral in France that was built in 1660, long before daylight time became widely adopted in the 20th century. The clock's intersecting hands and dials don't just tell time, they form a flattened model of our planet that tracks the positions of the sun and moon relative to Earth. The zodiac dial, offset to account for the planet's rotational tilt, shows the star sign currently in season.

All this movement of circles and spheres might call to mind another observance of the day - March 14 is Pi Day, in celebration of the mathematical constant pi (aka π, or roughly 3.14). You remember pi from geometry class. It expresses the ratio of the distance around a circle to the distance across it. So, it was essential to ancient astronomers who mapped these celestial workings, as well as to designers of intricate machines that simulate the...