Saint Denis Basilica - one of the oldest churches of Paris, a jewel of medieval Gothic architecture, the national spiritual treasure. Here - the resting place of the greatest monarchs of the country, have left their mark in the history of Europe and the world.

Under the Romans there was a settlement Katulliak. It came here from Montmartre, holding his own severed head in his hands, the first bishop of Paris St. Dionysius, after which the place was named Saint-Denis. The 475 year here with the blessing of St. Genevieve built a basilica. In 630 reconstructed basilica became the central temple of the Benedictine monastery.

In the XIII century, Louis IX moved the remains of their predecessors. Since then, the Basilica of Saint-Denis has become a tomb of kings. After it got the name "royal necropolis of France."

Here are the graves of 25 French kings, 10 queens, 84 princes and princesses. Among them - the legendary person, without which Europe might have looked differently: Clovis I, King's Cross Franks, Charles Martel, to stop the advance of Islam in the European continent, intellectual, Karl V, defend the sovereignty and unity of France. In Saint-Denis is stored and the famous Royal Standard - Oriflame.

During the French Revolution, the monastery and basilica were looted and closed, the remains of reigning persons dropped into a pit, covered with lime and burnt. In 1814, during the restoration of the Basilica of the bones of kings and their relatives gathered in the ossuary - a special storage. In the crypt of the local were re-executed on the guillotine Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. In 1830, the dumping stopped.

Exceptions are made only 9 June 2004: On this day in Saint-Denis was buried infant heart of Louis XVII, have not ascended to the throne of the son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

The royal tombs at Saint-Denis is a striking sight: on the gravestones of the dead are buried behind the sculpture, carved with a portrait likeness. The decoration of the basilica are the magnificent stained glass windows, which narrate stories of the Crusades.