Notre-Dame de la Grand'Porte, Medieval statue in Saint-Malo Cathedral, France
Notre-Dame de la Grand'Porte is a stone statue of the Virgin Mary inside Saint-Malo Cathedral, holding the Child Jesus who reaches toward a bird pecking at her hand. The sculpture stands about 6 feet (1.9 meters) tall and was restored before being moved to its current location.
The statue originates from the 15th century when it was installed above the Grand'Porte gateway in Saint-Malo's ramparts. It was transferred indoors to the cathedral in 2003 to protect it from the elements and urban changes.
Local sailors and residents have maintained religious devotion to this statue, considering it a symbol of protection against fires, invasions, and maritime perils.
The restored original statue is now kept inside Saint-Malo Cathedral where it is protected from the weather. A replica remains at its original location above the Grand'Porte if you wish to see where it once stood.
According to local legend, when a major fire swept through the city in 1661 destroying numerous wooden structures, residents believed this sculpture miraculously halted the flames. This tale earned it the name Notre-Dame des Miracles and cemented its importance in the hearts of Saint-Malo's people.
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