Embrun - Cathédrale Notre-Dame-du-Réal

Since 365, when Saint Marcellin became the first bishop here, a cathedral existed in Embrun. Saint Gregory of Tours wrote about a "basilica mirabilis" built over the tombs of Saints Nazarius and Celsus. After the Lombards had sacked Embrun end of the 6th century, Charlemagne funded the erection of a new cathedral. In the 10th century the Sarazens raided the area - and again looted the town (and killed the bishop).

The cathedral of today was built on foundations of Charlemagne´s basilica between 1170 and 1220.

The northern, Romanesque portal / narthex named "Port Real" (or "Portal des Rois Mages") got its name, as in the 14th century the tympanum got covered by a frescoe depicting the Magi. The frescoe was destroyed when the church got severely damaged during the French Wars of Religion, so by now the Romanesque tympanum is seen again. Only the inscription still refers to the Magi. The two elegant columns are supported on crouching lions.