This is it, the approach to the Lourdes grotto or case. The church that was built on the site where Bernadette received her vision. Obviously the site is spectacular and very cosmopolitan. There were many groups of people from Mexico and Peru all photographing each other. The next photo is of the grotto itself, Grotte de Massabielle. A Roman Catholic pilgrimage site is obviously going to be very touristy; apparently there are more hotels in Lourdes than any other French town or city outside Paris itself. But the people there are also coming to be healed. In the three of hours or so we were there the number of people attending who had a helper with them. They were here because of the faith they had of a cure or rest from suffering was moving. In physical terms you attend the cathedral and then shuffle along and place your left hand over the grotto wall. I have not witnessed so many people showing believe in faith healing by attending to one site. The 'holy water' for sale in every shop really seems a con trick. I can't help but think of a 'Peckam Spring' episode of Only Fools and Horses. Final point, I was surprised that entry to the cathedral and the grotto were all without charge, I had expected us to be hit up maybe €20 each. Parking was not a problem either, we drove into centre of the town and got a parking space in an underground car park below the town tourist office charges for that were perfectly reasonable as well.
I have included a few more photographs that I took so you can see the inside as well as another view of outside of cathedral.
2 comments:
That architecture is incredibly beautiful... you should post some more of your pictures!
<3
Thank you, they're beautiful!
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