the eight-sided bell tower of the Basilica of Saint-Sernin soaring over Toulouse

Majestic medieval churches ascended along Christian pilgrims' paths

People and wealth moved along the pilgrimage routes of Europe, sparking the building of Romanesque churches to welcome travelers and house holy relics.

The eight-sided bell tower of the Basilica of Saint-Sernin soars over Toulouse, France. The spire and higher stories were added in the 13th and 14th centuries. Built of stone in the monumental Romanesque style, Saint- Sernin is faced with mellow brick, a local feature of Toulouse architecture.
Jacques Sierpinski/Cordon Press
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