Medieval Lausanne

As a spiritual stronghold of French-speaking Switzerland, Lausanne Cathedral enjoys international interest and importance. It was built in several stages, with the first builder beginning construction work in 1170 with an ambulatory, using Roman materials. Twenty years later, a second erected the present church; this took until 1215. From that point Jean Cotereel, the third builder, continued the work on the site by constructing the western section, giving it a porch and two towers, one with a belfry, the other one remained uncompleted.

It was only in 1275 that the cathedral was consecrated, by both Emperor Rudolph of Hapsburg and Pope Gregory X.

In 1536, during the Reformation, the cathedral underwent significant changes when a new liturgical area was built in the nave. Thereafter, it was restored a number of times in the 18^th century and again in the 19^th century under the leadership of the famous French architect Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc.

The cathedral has a highly significant multi-coloured interior. Dating back to the original construction, this design was covered over during the Reformation and then revealed at the beginning of the 20^th century. The paintings are still visible in the Chapel of the Virgin as well as on the statues of the painted doorway, which is unique in all of Europe and has been completely restored since October 2007.

The rose window is among the masterpieces of European artistic heritage. Its panes depict the medieval view of the world arranged around the figure of God the creator.

Inaugurated in 2003, the new organ is the only one of its kind in the world by virtue of its design (American manufacture by Fisk, Italian design by Giugiaro), its musical characteristics (French classical and symphonic styles, German baroque and romantic) and its dimensions (nearly 7,000 pipes, 40 tonnes, 150,000 hours of work to complete). Concerts are held there regularly.