Classified as world heritage of UNESCO
Undeniable masterpiece of romanesque art
High place of pilgrimage
Classified as world heritage of UNESCO
High place of pilgrimage |
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Vezelay, a noble place of christianity since the Middle Ages; is very much visited due to the cult of Saint Magdalen relics, thus became a meeting point for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella in Spain. In 1146, Saint Bernard preached the Second crusade here. Philip Augustus and Richard the Lion Heart met here before embarking on the third crusade in 1190. The King Saint Louis loved retreating in Vézelay. In the middle of the 12th century, Vézelay's reputation declined. Someone had said that the discovery of the genuine relics of Mary Magdalen is in Saint Maximin in Provence. In 1537, the abbey was secularized and monks were replaced by "chanoines". In the 16th century during the religious wars, Vézelay was the theatre of serious confrontations. The Revolution didn't have mercy on the town and the abbey was sold as a national property in 1796. Saved from ruin and oblivion in the 19th century by architect Viollet-le-Duc, the Saint Magdalen basilica remains an undeniable masterpiece of romanesque art. Dominating in the valley of the Cure river, this edifice is overlooking by the foothills of Morvan visibly afar as if appearing suddenly beholding over the fields and the vineyards. |
| The medieval town has preserved its ramparts, its gates and its battlements. The main street leading to the church is bordered by 15th, 16th and 18th century houses and pleasantly leads the visitors along to the square and the terrace of the former qbbey castle where one may discover a remarkable panoramic view. Vézelay's delights are worth seeking out. Those who wander through it with an enquiring eye, who takes the trouble to uncover lovingly each detail, each stone and each ray of light be bound ever closer to the "Eternal Hill". The medieval village covers one side of the hill, forming a stone-setting of a jewel, the Basilica. Wandering through its narrow, winding alleys passing old houses built over huge cellars, visitors in Vézelay finally initiate to understand its mystery. |
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Romanesque houses, such as 'Centre
Sainte Madeleine' and the 'Maison des Ursulines', stand
side by side with Renaissance dwellings exemplified by
the house 'Maison Théodore de Béze', and 17th and 18th
century buildings, hereby an example of which are the 'Hôtel
de Ville' and the 'Maison du Pontot'. Going up the
streets of Saint Etienne and of Saint Pierre, you
discover boutiques and stores, art galleries, restaurants
and brasseries… The path then becomes steeper, the
view becomes wider and enchanting. "Barque that has
dropped anchor on the horizon" (by Paul Claudel),
the church of Saint Magdalen, qppears astoundingly to
your vision. |
A visit to the
terrace of the former abbey's castle unveils further
treasures : the ramparts encircling the town and a wide-angle
view of the Cure valley with gentle sloping calcareous
hill to the North, and the wooded heights of the Morvan
to the South. |
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The Saint Magdalen Basilica is an undeniable masterpiece of romanesque art. Originally it was a simple benedictin monastery founded in the 9th century by Girard de Roussillon. Because of the relics of the saint, Vézelay's abbey became a major shrine in the middle ages. Its façade is restrained and humble, and its architectural plan is simple designed like a Latin cross. Walking around the building, this edifice has an impressive scale of more than 120 meters long. The narthex or antechamber (1140), which was an assembly point for pilgrims preparing themselves in the dark shadows to penetrate into the light next tothe nave. The nave (1120), 18 meters high, is made up of 10 bays equally divided by light and dark transversing stones of arcs. On each pillars, historical capitals represent stories of biblical scenes and the life of saints. The 'gothic choir' (late 12th century), where the source of light rays; is surmounted by a triforium. The 'Carolingian crypt', below the main altar of the choir encloses Mary Magdalen's relics. The 'transept' prolongs up to the southern side of the abbatial hall and the 13th century cloister. |
| The Basilica
is open all year round. Free access Church services are sung in polyphony (four voices) by the Monastic Fraternity of Jerusalem. The Saint Magdalen pilgrimage takes place annually on 22nd July. To get informations about guided visits of basilica and town, see section "Guided Visits and Organized Tours'. Enquiries : secretarial office of the basilica tél : 03 86 33 39 50 - fax : 03 86 33 36 93 |
PhotoFMJ |
