Basilique Notre Dame de La Garde

　　Notre-Dame de la Garde is one of the most famous attractions in Marseille, France, and is also the symbol of Marseille. It was first built in the 19th century with a unique style. There are many exquisite statues of the Virgin Mary and murals, as well as many precious decorations. After appreciating the magnificence of the church, you can also go up to the observation deck to overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire city and the blue coastline.

　　Mont Gard is the hill closest to the center of Marseille, 154 meters high, and has been an important strategic location for Marseille since ancient times. From the top of the mountain, you can see the whole city, the outline of the island and the vast sea. In the Middle Ages, a defensive fortress was built here, witnessing countless historical changes and the change of times. As the gateway to guard the city, many stories about the apparition of the Virgin Mary have grown up in the changes of history.

　　In 1214, a priest named Pierre built the first chapel here. As time went by, the chapel was gradually expanded into a rectangular hall, and Mont Gard gradually evolved into a multifunctional holy place integrating a lookout, military building and place of worship.

　　However, with the increasing number of pilgrims, the original church could no longer meet the demand. Therefore, with the support of the Second French Empire, Bishop de Mazenot of Marseille decided to build a new cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

　　On September 11, 1853, with the laying of the first foundation stone, the construction of Notre-Dame de la Garde officially kicked off. With his outstanding talent and unique vision, architect Henry Espérandieu cleverly combined the Byzantine Revival style with Venetian colors to create a simple and light religious building for Marseille.

　　On the top of the church's bell tower, the glittering gilded statue of the Virgin Mary shines brightly, becoming the most dazzling symbol in the Marseille sky. The interior of the church is equally magnificent.

　　From 1872 to 1892, craftsmen decorated the floors and walls with gorgeous mosaics, making the cathedral solemn and gorgeous. The neo-Romanesque bottom and the Byzantine-style mosaic decoration complement each other, forming this Roman-Byzantine architectural masterpiece.

　　Along with the construction of Notre-Dame de la Garde, the urban landscape of Marseille has also undergone earth-shaking changes. A large number of urban areas have been replanned, and new monuments, arches and urban areas have sprung up like mushrooms after rain. When the cathedral was finally completed, it was facing a modern metropolis.

　　In order to facilitate believers and tourists to go to the cathedral, ?mile Maslin designed an elevator inspired by the Eiffel Tower. Although this elevator was destroyed for some reason later, it has become an unforgettable memory in the history of Marseille.

　　Today, Notre-Dame de la Garde Cathedral still stands quietly on the top of the "Garde" mountain, and the Virgin Mary on the top of the bell tower continues to overlook the prosperity and restlessness of Marseille.