Rosary Basilica, Minor basilica in Lourdes, France
The Rosary Basilica is a church in Lourdes featuring a Greek cross layout with a central dome adorned by sixteen stained glass windows. Its Byzantine Revival design creates a distinctive interior where light filters through the colored glass above.
Architect Léopold Hardy designed this church in Byzantine Revival style, with construction taking place between 1883 and 1889. The building received its official consecration in 1901, marking its completion as a sacred space.
The chapels inside are each dedicated to a different Mystery of the Rosary, decorated with intricate mosaics and Latin inscriptions that tell spiritual stories through art. These decorations make the interior a place where prayer and artistic expression come together naturally.
The interior accommodates around 1,500 visitors and hosts services throughout the year. When visiting, allow time to walk through the space and observe how the light from the stained glass windows changes the appearance of the interior at different times.
The dome features a gilded crown with a cross donated by the Irish faithful in 1924. This cross was given fresh gilding in 2002 to restore its golden appearance.
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