An Analysis of the Basilica of Saint Sernin

Saint Saturnius, later francized to sernin, was martyred on November 29 in the year 250 for failing to sacrifice to the pagan gods that the Romans forced upon his people. After being dragged to death by a bull he was buried, and at the end of the 4th century a basilica was constructed above his tomb. This building was replaced in the late 11th century by the Saint Sernin basilica (see appendix, 1ab) that is currently in Toulouse, France, a town positioned on the Garronne River a short distance from its union with the Ariege River. Measuring in at 115 m long and 21.1 m high this new structure is the largest of the churches along the principle routes to Santiago de Compostela in France and upper Spain known as the pilgrimage churches (see appendix, 2).
The building of this basilica is credited to Bishop Petrus Rogerius. However, canon Raymond Gairard is also recognized as the constructor of the body of the church before he died in 1118. Even though additions continued through the...