Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Lourdes
Notre-Dame de l'Immaculée-Conception de Lourdes (in French)
Basic information
Location France Lourdes
Geographic coordinates 43°5′50.5″N 0°3′30.1″W / 43.097361°N 0.058361°W / 43.097361; -0.058361Coordinates: 43°5′50.5″N 0°3′30.1″W / 43.097361°N 0.058361°W / 43.097361; -0.058361
Affiliation Roman Catholic
Country France
Year consecrated 1876
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Minor basilica, National Shrine
Website Official website
Architectural description
Architect(s) Hyppolyte Durand
Architectural type Church
Architectural style Neo-Gothic
Completed 1872
Specifications
Capacity 550[1]
Length 55 metres (180 ft)
Width 22 metres (72 ft)
Height (max) 70 metres (230 ft)

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 1866 and 1872 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 70 metres (230 ft) 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.

Notes

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  1. ↑ http://www.lourdes-france.org/index.php?goto_centre=ru&contexte=en&id=435
View of the Basilica constructed on top of the rock above the Grotto of Lourdes

Further reading

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