Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde is a basilica located in Marseille, France. This ornate Neo-Byzantine church sits atop a 162 m (532 ft) limestone outcrop on the south side of the Vieux Port. As well as being a major local landmark, it is the site of a popular annual pilgrimage every August 15th (Assumption).Commissioned by Saint Eugene de Mazenod, then bishop of Marseille, and designed by the architect Espandieu, the church was built between 1851-1864 on the site of a 13th century chapel also dedicated to Our Lady of the Guard. It is surmounted by a 60 m (197 ft) belfry topped with a huge statue of the Virgin and Child, visible across much of the city and from miles out at sea.
The interior is decorated with inlaid marble, mosaics and murals. Many of the walls are covered with hundreds of ex-votos, including paintings, plaques, model boats, war medals and even football shirts given by players and supporters of Olympique de Marseille, the local team.
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