Photos of Basilica of Notre-Dame of la Garde

The Notre-Dame de Garde Cathedral has been a symbol of Marseille since its completion in 1864. It was built on the commanding heights of Marseille - a 154-meter-high hill. The view is magnificent, and it is a good place for tourists to overlook the old port of Marseille. Above the main building of the cathedral is a golden statue of the Virgin Mary with a height of 9.7 meters. It is said that this glittering statue of the Virgin can be seen from almost any angle in Marseille, and the cathedral has thus become a landmark of Marseille. The church was expanded on the basis of the original fortress and was named after its location on the Garde hill. It is unimaginable that this majestic and sacred project was designed and built by Haffreigue, a lover of architectural design who has never been taught. Haffreigue, an abbot, took over this arduous task in 1827. He added and modified while building, and made bold and innovative designs on the basis of synthesizing various architectural styles. After nearly half a century of construction, Completed this magnificent cathedral.