Soissons Cathedral

About this place

Soissons Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral basilica in Soissons, France. It is the seat of the Bishop of Soissons, Laon, and Saint-Quentin. The origins of Soissons Cathedral date to the 4th century, when the diocese of Soissons was first established. The first cathedral was constructed in a Romanesque style and saw events such as the crowning of Pepin the Short in 752. To accommodate the growing city around the church, the Romanesque structure was demolished, and a second Carolingian cathedral was built on the site, consecrated in 851 by Bishop Rothade. This structure suffered significant fire damage in 948 caused by the troops of Hugh the Great. As you explore, compare the building itself with its decoration and later additions. Differences in materials, forms and imagery can reveal successive periods of patronage, making the visit a way to understand how religious places evolved over time.