Clermont-Ferrand - Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption

Early morning light on the two black spires of the Clermont-Ferrand cathedral. The spires are more than 100 meters high and black, like the entire cathedral, as the entire structure is built from the vulcanic rock from Volvic.

The first cathedral on this place was built already within the 5th century. This church was destroyed by Pepin the Short, who a couple of years later financed the reconstruction.

This second structure here was destroyed by the Normans in 915. The third (romanesque) cathedral, was consecrated in 946. This building probably served as the model and prototype for many churches in the Auvergne.

After a trip to Paris, the bishop was so enthusiastic about the the new gothic cathedrals being built in the north, that he had the romanesque cathedral was demolished - and in 1248 the construction of this cathedral started.

It took hundreds of years - and actually never got completed. During the French Revolution the revolutionaries wanted to tear down the church, but they could be persuaded to use it as a gathering place. So only some the transept towers and the complete furniture and interior decoration got lost. Finally in 1866 the completion works began. In 1884, the western façade with its spires and the last span of the nave were finally completed. So what you see here - is pretty recent.