Lady of lourdes - tourism and pilgrimages in the pyrenees mountains
Lady of lourdes - tourism and pilgrimages in the pyrenees mountains
The name Lourdes derives from the Occitan Lorda and is situated at the High Pyrenees region, the Midi Pyrenees, 400 meters above the sea level. A river, Gave de Pau, has its source in Gavarnie.
The most important activity in Lourdes are taken by the catholic pilgrimages since the 19th century after Bernadette Soubirous' visions of the Virgin Mary when she was a child.
The active religious commerce selling religious items is situated at the Boulevard de la Grotte. Around all this religious attraction a big amount of hotels have been built over the years.
The old fortress as well as the Cave and the Sanctuaries are the most typical areas in the city. Place Peyramale is the starting point to get to the sanctuaries. Two ways lead there, one across rue Basse till Boulevard de la Grotte, crossing then Pont St. Michel. The second one starts in rue de la Grotte until arriving to Pont Vieux, which leads directly to the sanctuary along Bernadette Soubirous Avenue.
Lourdes has the clear characteristics of the Middle Ages. One example is the fortress, built in the 11th century. Since 1921 it keeps the Pyrenees Museum, where many ethnographic and historical collections can be seen through 18 different rooms.
From the castle, an excellent view of the city and its outskirts is of great beauty.
The pilgrim arriving in Lourdes through St. Michel Gate will enjoy the medieval fort, over the left the religious installations are beautiful architectural examples. Across St Michael's Door one gets to the big underground St Pio X Basilica, build in 1958 using elliptic forms and shapes. The statue of Virgin Mary is always surrounded by vast amounts of flowers. Further on, the Basilica of Rosary, in a Neo Byzantine style from the 19th century, shows on its facade many statues and inside a cupola with many contrived decorations. The upper Basilica is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin.
Around this religious section the cave, fountains and Stations of the Cross are very much visited during the summer season.
Some museums are very interesting here. The Museum of Lourdes depicts the life the then village by the times of Bernadette's apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Paintings and historical data make part of this collection.
Another museum is Little Lourdes as it is a Miniature Museum that shows Lourdes in 1858, how everything was when Bernadette Soubirous witnessed the Virgin Mary.
The Wax Museum is called Grevin Museum and it shows 18 scenes and about 100 historical personalities surrounding the life of Bernadette.
On February 11, a little Bernadette went out with two other friends to find wood at the Masabielle Rock. They had to cross a small river but since Bernadette suffered from asthma, she avoided to wet her feet and then stood by a side of the river while the two other little friends went to find wood thus crossing the river.
It was then that Bernadette witnessed the Virgin Mary twiceBetween February 11 and July 16 1858, 18 apparitions happened. Since then, many pilgrims go to the cave from different countries and many miracles have happened until today, that science scholars have studied and corroborated their authenticity. Custom Boxes Could Help Make All The Difference In Business As Well As At Home Good News to Eyeglasses Retailers Choosing The Right Family Law Solicitor Toddler Bedding with Colorful Designs Kontaktannons Dating Ads To Assist You In Finding The Partner Playsets For Kids To Have Hours Of Fun Outsourcing Looks Set To Be Transformed Over The Next Ten Years Selling Your Yacht In A Bad Economy Looking For Solid Information About Personal Finance? Try These Tips! Get your treatment by best dentist in Mumbai Buying Or Renting In London Are You Kiding Me? Only Making 2-4% Interst on Your Money What Is A Financial Planner?