Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde - Marseille, France - Roman Catholic Churches on Waymarking.com

[FR] Elle est située sur un piton calcaire de 149 mètres d'altitude au sud du Vieux-Port de Marseille, surélevé de 13 mètres grâce aux murs et soubassements d'un ancien fort.

Construite par l'architecte Henri Espérandieu dans le style romano-byzantin et consacrée le 5 juin 1864, elle remplace une chapelle du même nom édifiée en 1214 et reconstruite au XVe siècle. Bâtie sur les bases d'un fort du XVIe siècle construit par François Ier en 1536 pour résister au siège de Charles Quint, la basilique comporte deux parties : une église basse, ou crypte, creusée dans le roc et de style roman, et au-dessus une église haute de style romano byzantin décorée de mosaïques. Au sommet d'un clocher carré de 41 mètres de haut surmonté lui-même d'une sorte de tour de 12,5 mètres qui lui sert de piédestal, se dresse une statue monumentale de 11,2 mètres de la Vierge à l'Enfant réalisée en cuivre doré à la feuille[1].

La pierre utilisée pour la construction, notamment celle de couleur verte en provenance des environs de Florence, s’étant révélée sensible à la corrosion atmosphérique, il a été nécessaire d’entreprendre de 2001 à 2008 une longue et minutieuse restauration qui a également porté sur la rénovation des mosaïques, endommagées à la Libération par les impacts de balles et noircies au fil du temps par la fumée des cierges.

À Marseille, Notre-Dame de la Garde est traditionnellement considérée par la population comme la gardienne et la protectrice de la cité.

[EN] This ornate Neo-Byzantine church is situated at the highest natural point in Marseille, a 162 m (532 ft) limestone outcrop on the south side of the Old Port. As well as being a major local landmark, it is the site of a popular annual pilgrimage every Assumption Day (August 15). Local inhabitants commonly refer to it as la bonne mère ("the good mother")

Monseigneur de Mazenod decided to build a large basilica on this site for which the foundation stone was laid on 11 september 1853. The building was entrusted to the architect Espérandieu and the consecration took place on 5 june 1864.

In a Romanesque-byzantine style with domes, multicoloured stone, gold and mosaics, the basilica fits in perfectly in the programme of the large constructions undertaken in Marseille under Napoléon III.

The edifice consists of two parts: a lower cherch, a vaulted crypt which houses in particular a multi-coloured crucifix dating from the 16th century church and a "mater dolorosa" of marble of Carpeaux ; and an upper church, the sanctuary, dedicated to the Virgin (name day and pilgrimage on 15 August) where mosaics with a gold background and muli-coloured marbles abound, giving it the appearance o a reliquary.

Of particular interest are the bronze doors and the high altar designed by Revoil, Virgin in silver by Chanuel, an Annunciation low relief in multi-coloured glazed earthenware, a Florentine work of the 16th cebtury.

The presence of numerous ex-votos exhibed on the walls, hung between the supports of the nave, are a true collection of naïve art, a charming chronicle of the community of Marseille, eloquent witnesses of popular faith, dedicated to "la bonne mère", the name given to her by all the marseillais, wathever their religion. The belfry supports a monumental statue of the virgin created by the sculptor Lequesne. It was executed in bronze, gilded with gold leaf, by the Christofle workshops and installed in september 1870.

From the esplanade, in front of the sanctuary, there is a most impressive view of Marseille and its site.

Between 2001 and 2007, the part outside and the decor inside the church have been restored.

Type of Church: Basilica Status of Building: Actively in use for worship Date of organization: 12/07/2011 Date of building construction: 06/05/1864 Dominant Architectural Style: Romanesque-byzantine Archdiocese: Marseille Diocese: Marseille Address/Location: Montée de la Bonne Mère Marseille, France 13006 Relvant Web Site: [Web Link] Associated Shrines, Art, etc.: Not listed

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