Grotte de la Sainte-Baume

About

The cave of the Sainte-Baume is a cave built since the fifth century as a place of worship and chapel (dedicated to the Catholic cult), located in the south of France, in the massif of the Sainte-Baume. This cave of modest dimensions (about 20 m by 30), is famous for having sheltered Marie Madeleine during the last years of her life. From the fifth century monks settled on the edge of the cave to welcome pilgrims, the cave being transformed into a place of worship.

The sanctuary develops over the centuries, especially from the thirteenth century, under the impulse of the Counts of Provence, and with the installation of Dominicans. High place of Western Christendom, the cave is visited by many popes and kings. Piled during the wars of Religion, totally destroyed during the French revolution, the place of worship was rebuilt in the 19th century, particularly under the impulse of Father Henri Lacordaire, who restored the Dominican convent and the hostellerie allowing to welcome pilgrims again.

During the 20th century, the cave continued to be developed, as well as the entire sanctuary of which it is part. Today, the cave is an important...