Vézelay, Church and Hill
Posted by: 
richwolf
N 47° 27.973 E 003° 44.923
31T E 556424 N 5257246
Shortly after its foundation in the 9th century, the Benedictine abbey of Vézelay acquired the relics of St Mary Magdalene and since then it has been an important place of pilgrimage.
Waymark Code: WM2JPQ
Location: France
Date Posted: 11/12/2007
Views: 38
According to legend, not long before the end of the first millennium a monk named Baudillon brought relics (bones) of Mary Magdalene to Vézelay from Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. In 1058 the Pope confirmed the genuineness of the relics, leading to an influx of pilgrims that has continued to this day. Vézelay Abbey was also a major starting point for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela, one of the most important of all medieval pilgrimage centres. This was crucially important in attracting pilgrims and the wealth they brought to the town.
In 1189, the Frankish and English factions of the Third Crusade met at Vezelay before officially departing for the Holy Lands.
Type: Site
Reference number: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/84
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