Interior view

The first cathedral of Autun was built from the 5th century onwards and was several times refurbished and enlarged. The Bishop of Autun decided in about 1120 on the construction of a new cathedral as a pilgrimage church. The new cathedral was allotted a site to the north of the earlier cathedral, of which some remains may still be seen. The church was consecrated in 1132 and mostly finished by 1146. Autun Cathedral is famous for its Cluniac inspiration and its Romanesque sculptures by Gislebertus.

The interior has a nave and two aisles, divided by massive columns with longitudinal carvings punctuated with decorated Romanesque capitals. The nave elevation is composed of three levels: grand arcade, triforium and clerestory, each marked by a cornice. The triforium base is decorated with a frieze of rosettes and consists of three blind arches.

The photo shows the north wall of the nave.

View the ground plan of Saint-Lazare, Autun.