Notre-Dame de la Garde | Marseille | France | Amazing Basilicas

Notre-Dame de la Garde, in French for Marseille’s citizens “la Bonne-mère“, the good holy mother, is a Catholic basilica in Marseille, France, the city’s best-known symbol. The site of a popular Assumption Day pilgrimage, it was the most visited site in Marseille. It was built on the foundations of an ancient fort at the highest natural point in Marseille, a 149 meters limestone outcropping on the south side of the Old Port of Marseille. Construction of the basilica began in 18 52 and lasted for 21 years. It was originally an enlargement of a medieval chapel, but was transformed into a new structure at the request of Father Bernard, the chaplain. The plans were made and developed by the architect Henri-Jacques Espérandieu. It was consecrated while still unfinished on 5 June 1864. The basilica consists of a lower church or crypt in the Romanesque style, carved from the rock, and an upper church of Neo-Byzantine style decorated with mosaics. A square 41 meter bell tower topped by