Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Black Virgin

The city of Mende (pop. ~ 12000) is situated in the high valley of the Lot, within the area of the "Grands Causses" (limestone plateaus). One of these plateaus is the "Mont Mimat". The historic city center is all around the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Privat. A church existed here already in Merovingian times. The cathedral is actually the fourth church on this spot. Pope Urban V, who was born in the Lozere, strongly supported the erection of this cathedral, that started mid 14th century, when Pope Urban V resided in Avignon. The construction was near completion, when a fire destroyed the cathedral. Then Pierre Morel, who had worked in Chaise-Dieu, took over the construction site. The death of Urban V in 1370 interrupted the work for about for more than 60 years. The main altar was consecrated in 1467. The cathedral has two different bell-towers. The higher one (84m) was paid for by the Bishop, the lower one (65m) by the Canons. During the Wars of Religions Mende was conquered (on Christmas 1579) by huguenot troops led by Matthieu Merle. As the troops needed ammunition, the melted down all bells of the cathedral below the bells was "Non-Pareille", the largest bell in Christendom at that time. In 1581 Merle was back in Mende again. He ransomed the population to collect 4000 Ecu and swore to destroy the cathedral in case the people could not raise the money. As the people were unable to raise the sum, he carried out his threat with great efforts. The pillars of the nave were weakend and then huge fires were started inside the nave so the ceiling collapsed. The cathedral was rebuilt from 1599 to 1605. Around 1620 new stained glass windows were installed. They got destroyed in the turmoil of The French Revolution, when the smaller tower was used as a prison. Major rebuildings and renovations started in 1840, when the cathedral got on the list of historic monuments. The cathedral is the home of "Notre-Dame de Mende", a "Black Virgin". Legends tell that she was brought to Mende between 1212 and 1222 by bishop and crusader Guillaume de Peyre. She is first mentioned in 1249. Originally she was covered by a silver gilt and hold Jesus on her lap. During the Wars of Religions, the Protestant troops intended to burn her, but she was saved by courageous church ladies. At that time she had already lost baby Jesus and her hands.

Since the early (even pre-Christian) times Le Puy has been a center of pilgrimage. Le Puy was a centre of the cult of Our Lady, already Charlemagne made the pilgrimage to Le Puy twice. Over centuries a miraculous original Black Virgin was adored here. The statue was given to the cathedral by Louis IX (Saint-Louis) on his return from Egypt (7th cruisade). This statue was burnt by furious revolutionists during the heaydays of the Revolution just outside the cathedral. The citizens of Le Puy probably bitterly regreted all the vandalism done in that times, what may have led to the erection of "Notre-Dame de France" on the top of the Rocher Corneille. The statue is 16 metres high and weights (including the massive bedestal) about 835 tons. It was made from 213 Russian cannons taken in the "Siege of Sevastopol" (1854–1855).

Since the 12th century Liesse hosted a statue of a "Black Virgin", known as "Notre Dame de Liesse, source et cause de notre joie", and ever since then Liesse has been a center of Marian pilgrimage. Liesse was even a favorite destination for royal pilgrimages, visited by Louis VII, Charles VI, Charles VII and others. The basilica was built during the late 13th and early 14th centuries and probably replaced an earlier chapel. It was probably erected with stones left over from the construction of the nearby Laon Cathedral. The portal and façade were constructed in the 15th century The statue is seen in the center. A legend tells, that it has been brought to Liesse by three Knights Hospitaller, named Jean, Hector, and Henri. During the Cruisade they were captured and taken to the Sultan of Egypt. The knights refused to convert to Islam despite promises of gold and honor. Angels brought the three imprisoned knights a small statue of Our Lady for consolation. The Sultan decided to send his daughter to the dungeon to convert the prisoners, but having learned about the Christian god she assisted in the knights´ escape. During the flight they fall asleep, and during their sleep were miraculously transported to Northern France. They woke up close to the Eppes´ castle in Picardy, where they came from. The Sultan´s daughter Ismeria, who had accompanied them, was baptised in the cathedral of Laon. The knights preserved the statue of the Madonna, and built a church to receive Our Lady of Liesse. That´s the legend "behind" the Black Virgin.

Since the 12th century Liesse hosted a statue of a "Black Virgin", known as "Notre Dame de Liesse, source et cause de notre joie", and ever since then Liesse has been a center of Marian pilgrimage. Liesse was even a favorite destination for royal pilgrimages, visited by Louis VII, Charles VI, Charles VII and others. The basilica was built during the late 13th and early 14th centuries and probably replaced an earlier chapel. It was probably erected with stones left over from the construction of the nearby Laon Cathedral. The portal and façade were constructed in the 15th century In 1568 the troops of the Protesant Prince of Orange looted Liesse and the basilica village. The soldiers broke the statue, removed the bells and set fire to the church. The restoration was completed in 1577.