Basilique Notre-Dame-des-Miracles de Mauriac, Minor basilica in Mauriac, France
The Basilique Notre-Dame-des-Miracles is a church building in the Romanesque style featuring two large square towers on its western side. The interior is organized with a central nave flanked by side aisles and a rounded apse, all supported by columns and rounded arches.
Construction of this place of worship began in the 11th century, making it the oldest Romanesque church in the Upper Auvergne region. The building underwent various changes over the centuries while retaining some of its original Romanesque features.
The western portal displays a tympanum carved with the Ascension, reflecting the religious beliefs of its era. Inside, visitors see venerated artworks including a black Madonna statue from the 16th century that pilgrims have long honored.
The place of worship is open to visitors throughout the year and provides guided tours from mid-June through mid-September. Groups should contact ahead to arrange a visit time that works with their schedule.
Next to the southern entrance stands a 13th-century lantern of the dead, an architectural feature rarely seen in religious buildings across the region. This structure once served to provide light signals for the deceased and represents an intriguing remnant of a vanished tradition.
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