Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer - Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer

A settlement with the name Ra had existed here in very early times. A priory of Montmajour Abbey (aka "Abbaye Notre Dame de Montmajour") was founded by the bishop of Arles within the 6th century. This was named "Sancta Maria de Ratis". Later the monastery got raided by Vikings and Saracens.

The church was erected within the 12th century. A medieval legend told that the "Three Maries" (Mary Magdalene, Mary Salome Mary Jacobe) and their servant Sarah cast adrift here together with Joseph of Arimathea (who had the Holy Grail with him, and who from here later travelled to Britain). When in 1448 relics of Marie Jacobé and Marie Salomé were discovered, pilgrimage to this place developed, so the the church had to be enlarged.

The low-ceilinged crypt (not a place for claustophobic or heat-sensitive visitors) holds the relics of Saint Sarah (aka "Sarah the Black"), once the Maries´ maid. Following the legends, Sarah was a native of Upper Egypt. She is the mythic patron saint of the Gypsies what makes Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to a pilgrimage destination for the european Roma (Gypsies). Every year in May thousends of Gypsies gather here for a weeklong religious festival. The statue of Saint Sarah, seen here, and other statues will then be taken to the sea in a pompous procession.
As this is a major event for the tourists as well, the Tourist office has a website about:


www.saintesmaries.com/en/home/pilgrimages/gypsies-pilgrim...