Notre-Dame de la Garde

Description

"Notre-Dame de la Garde" in #Marseille is a major basilica perched 149 meter above the city on a limestone hill. Its site began with a small chapel in 1214, rebuilt in the 15th century, then fortified by Francis I in 1524-36 against Charles V. The medieval chapel was replaced by the current structure, designed by Henri-Jacques Espérandieu in neo-byzantine style. Construction started in 1853; it was consecrated unfinished in 1864 and completed around 1897. It features a rock-carved romanesque crypt and an upper church with colorful mosaics, polychrome stone, domes, and Carrara/Brignoles marble. A 41m bell tower is crowned by an 11.2 meter gilded copper statue of the Virgin and Child.