Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde

The 154m/505ft high limestone hill in the south of Marseilles was used in ancient times at least as an observation point or guard post. In the 15th C. it was the official relay station for the royal intelligence network (smoke and light signals). Today the Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde on its summit is the landmark of the city, visible from afar. It was built on the site of a medieval pilgrimage chapel in 1853-1864 by Espérandieu in neo-Byzantime style of light and dark natural stone. A gilded Madonna crowns the 46m/151ft high belfry.

The whole of the interior of the church is clad in white and dark marble. In the crypt can be seen many votive tablets and model aircraft given by aviators.