Basilique de l'Immaculée-Conception de Lourdes

About

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is the first of the basilicas of Lourdes, the largest pilgrimage centre of the Hautes-Pyrénées and France. Consecrated in 1876, it is called the "superior basilica" to distinguish it from the basilicas "lower" (Basilica Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire) and "subterranean" (Basilica Saint-Pie-X), all three of which are part of the complex of the Shrine of Lourdes which still includes the Church of Saint-Bernadette, the last of its places of worship and number of chapels. It should also be noted that Lourdes also has in the city centre a parish church, the Church of the Sacred Heart, the construction of which was initiated by Abbé Dominique Peyramale, parish priest of Lourdes at the time of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous.

Located above the Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire which was later built, the ensemble overlooking the Cave of Massabielle where the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous, revealing her identity ("I am the Immaculate Conception"), the Basilica was built from 1862 to 1871 on the plans of Hippolyte Durand and consecrated in July 1876. She soon proved insufficient to receive the...