At two hundred eighty-two feet long and one hundred fifteen feet wide, the Basilica was constructed by private funds between 1872 and 1880. It was dedicated to the Virgin Mary because of her supposed role in protecting Lyon from the bubonic plague of 1643, as well as from a cholera epidemic in 1832 and the Prussian invasion of 1870. With its four main towers and a bell tower, which is topped with a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica ,which has the best views over the city, has become a symbol of Lyon and sees two and a half million visitors per year.
Perched atop the Fourvière Hill ( meaning “the hill which prays”), overlooking the city of Lyon, is the Basilica Notre-dame de Fourvière. The site on which it is built was once the Roman forum Vetus (old forum) under Trajan. The Fourviere Hill has a long history of being popular for pilgrimages and has had a shrine to the Virgin Mary on it since 1170. At two hundred eighty-two feet long and one hundred fifteen feet wide, the Basilica was constructed by private funds between 1872 and 1880. It was dedicated to the Virgin Mary because of her supposed role in protecting Lyon from the bubonic plague of 1643, as well as from a cholera epidemic in 1832 and the Prussian invasion of 1870. With its four main towers and a bell tower, which is topped with a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica ,which has the best views over the city, has become a symbol of Lyon and sees two and a half million visitors per year. The Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourviere is such an imposing sight atop the Fourviere hill, it can be seen from most of Lyon. Built in the late-1800’s, it sits on the site of the former Roman forum Vetus (which was commissioned by Trajan). A 1910 depiction of the Basilica. The interior , with its many mosaics, is incredibly gorgeous. Images of the Virgin Mary abound throughout the Basilica... ...such as in the beautiful stained glass windows... ...in stunning mosaics... ...and elaborate statuary. We can’t say enough about how beautiful the interior is. The designs and workmanship are amazing. Next to the Basilica is this replica of the Eiffel Tower, which serves as a radio and television transmission point. From the grounds of the Basilica are absolutely wonderful views of Lyon.
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Carl and Lorraine Aveni are two retirees planning on traveling through Europe for at least one year.
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