Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception explained

Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Lourdes
French: Notre-Dame de l'Immaculée-Conception de Lourdes
Location: Lourdes
Religious Affiliation:Roman Catholic
Consecration Year:1876
Status:Minor basilica, National Shrine
Website:Official website
Architecture Type:Church
Architecture Style:Neo-Gothic
Groundbreaking:1862
Year Completed:1871
Specifications:yes
Capacity:550[1]
Length:51m (167feet)
Width:21m (69feet)
Height Max:70m (230feet)

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (French: Basilique de Notre-Dame de l'Immaculée-Conception de Lourdes), known widely as the "Upper Church", is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica within the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. Constructed between 1862 and 1871 and consecrated in 1876, it was the second of the churches to be completed. The church was built on top of the rock above the Grotto and next to the Basilica of our Lady of the Rosary.

Designed by architect Hippolyte Durand, the Neo-Gothic church seems to emerge directly from the rock of Massabielle.

Exterior

The exterior is dominated by a 70m (230feet) spire, and two lesser spires (not completed until 1908). Above the entrance is a mosaic depicting Pope Pius IX, who defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854.

The clock plays the Ave Maria hourly, and chimes the hours with a 2-tonne bell called Jeanne-Alphonsine. The other bells in the tower are named Geneviève-Félicie (weighing 1800 kg), Hermine-Benoîte (1100 kg), and Cécile-Gastine (800 kg).

Interior

The walls are lined with ex voto plaques, and banners from official National Pilgrimages of the past. It has a series of stained glass windows depicting various events in the story of Lourdes, and the clerestory windows depict Mary as the Second Eve.

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bienvenue au Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes (France).