 | Marseille Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 39 |  |
This church is the landmark of Marseille. It is one of the highest points of Marseille (162 m) and gives you the most breathtaking panorama of the city.
The church itself consists of two chapels, one built in Neo-Romanic style and the other one in Neo-Byzantine style.
At the moment there is a lot of renovating going on, so it is not quite that nice, but the view....... aaaaahhh! Leave a Comment Directions: There is a metro stop called "Notre Dame de la Garde" and the bus #60 goes up there and stops right in front of the church. You can catch that bus at the Old Port.Website: http://www.notredamedelagarde.com
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Notre-Dame de la Garde, called in Marseille "la Bonne Mère" (our good Lady/Mother) is seen here from the Town hall, on the Northern quay. It represents THE landmark for Marseille as it can be seen from miles away by sailors. Notre-Dame de la Garde is thought to protect the sailors that leave the harbor and sailors are supposed to drop a prayer to her on leaving in order to increase their hope to come back ! Leave a Comment
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In 1214, the abbot of St Victor allowed a hermit, Master Peter, to construct a chapel on this hill. He quite naturally called it the Chapel de la Garde, the name of the hill on which there was a watch tower. Over the years this chapel became a pilgrimage for Christians. In 1477 a new chapel was built on the site of the old one.
Frangais I had a fort built on the la Garde mountain and had the chapel, which was consecrated in 1544, altered and enlarged. On the door of the fort, which together with the drawbridge has been conserved, can still be seen the coat of arms of Francais I, three fleurs de lys and the salamander.
s4In 1853 a new church was built, but only after much discussion. Indeed, the Ministry of War had to befpersuaded to abandon the fort and accept that a cathedral be constructed in its place. The architect Esperandieu, also designer of the Major cathedral, built it in the same Roman Byzantine style. The basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde was consecrated on the 4th June 1864.
It has been given the popular name of "Bonne Mere" or "Good Mother" over the centuries by the pilgrims who sought its protection. This is the slightly unconventional but very significant name under which the local population continue to venerate their church. The building was crowned by the virgin and child's statue on the 21st June 1931 in the presence of 300,000 people. Whether Marseilles is approached from the sea or the land this immense statue dominates and seems to cast its protection over the city.
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In the basilica, there is an extraordinary collection of ex-voto, small-scale models of boats, of planes hang by those who were lucky to come back after a dangerous travel or by those that were looking after the help of "Notre-Dame" to come back safely. Leave a Comment
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A first chapel was built in 1214, rebuilt in the XVth century. In 1853, the old chapel was put down and a wide basilica, able to receive numerous pilgrims was built instead, in a Romano-Byzantine style. It has long been a pilgrimage for protection against Cholera. Leave a Comment
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A few impressive figures :
The hill is 147.85 m high.
The ramparts are 13.15 m.
The tower is 41 m
The height of the pedestal of the statue is 12.5 m
The statue is 12.5 m high and weight 9,786 kg
Wrist measurement of Child Jesus (circumference) : 1.10 m
Weight of the great bell : 8,234 kg
Height of the great bell : 2,50 m.
Weight of the clapper : 387 kg. Leave a Comment
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Notre-Dame de la Garde is seen here from the winding street you use when you climb to it. It remains invisible for most of the climb and you suddenly discover it, on top of its hill. You can reach it either on foot (it is steep !) or by bus n° 60 leaving from the Vieux Port. Leave a Comment
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On the Notre-Dame de la Garde platform, an amazing cross associates together three symbols: a cross, symbol of Christianity, a heart, symbol of Notre-Dame (Our Lady) and unexpectedly an anchor, reminding that the city of Marseille was born by the sea and has always lived on the sea. Leave a Comment
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The platform of the basilica offers not only a superb view on the city but also, southwards, a view on some of the "calanques" which are kind of highly indented fjords carved by erosion in the limestone rocks. Those that are closer to the city have been inv added by buildings but there remains always some sort of wilderness, within the city. Leave a Comment
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(use the ticket from your CITY PASS to get on top of the hill!! there is a special bus and a mini train)
In 1214, the abbot of St. Victor allowed a hermit, Master Peter, to construct a chapel on this hill.
He quite naturally called it the Chapel de la Garde, the name of a hill on which there was a watch tower.
Over the years this chapel became an important destination for gilgrims!
In 1477 a new chapel was built on the site of the old one.
François I had a fort built on the Garde mountain and had the chapel, which was consecrated in 1544, altered and enlarged.
The coat of arms of François I, 3 fleurs-de-lys and the salamander, can still be seen on the door of the fort, the drawbridge of which has been preserved.
( Before knowing this piece of history I was very surprised to have to enter a basilica over a drawbridge!!!)
In 1853 a new church was built, but only after much discussion. Indeed, the Ministry of War had to be persuaded to abandon the fort and accept that a Basilica be constructed in its place.
to be continued in next TIP.... Leave a Comment Address: Hill de la Garde,Phone: 33(0)4 91 12 89 00Directions: Busline 60 from Quaie des Belges goes there.....Website: www.marseille-tourisme.com Other Contact: info@marseille-tourisme.com
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