Rocamadour

“Rocamadour is one of the most dramatically sited pilgrimage villages in Europe: a medieval town clinging to...”

Type

Shrine

Country

France

Location

Rocamadour

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01At a Glance

Rocamadour is one of the most dramatically sited pilgrimage villages in Europe: a medieval town clinging to a vertical cliff face in the Lot Valley of southern France, its sanctuary church and black Madonna rising 150 metres above the valley floor. As a station on the Camino de Santiago, it has received pilgrims since the 12th century; it was the third most visited Christian pilgrimage site in medieval Europe after Jerusalem and Rome. The object of veneration is the Black Madonna of Rocamadour — a small 12th-century wooden figure of the Virgin and Child, black from centuries of incense and candlelight, enthroned above the altar of the Chapel of Our Lady. The chapel occupies a cave-grotto in the cliff face, giving the approach a primal quality: pilgrims climb 216 steps from the village below, lined with the Stations of the Cross, to reach a church carved directly into the rock. The Grand Staircase, climbed on the knees by penitents, is one of the great acts of medieval penance still performed today. The relics of St Amadour — believed by some medieval traditions to be Zaccheus from the Gospels, or a servant of the Virgin Mary — lie beneath the altar of the Chapel of St Amadour adjacent. Whatever the historical identity, the combination of the cliff sanctuary, the Black Madonna, the Stations on the staircase, and the medieval pilgrim atmosphere makes Rocamadour one of the most complete pilgrimage experiences in France.

One of the three great medieval pilgrimages — after Jerusalem and Rome, Rocamadour was

third in medieval Europe The village and sanctuary cling to a vertical cliff 150

metres above the Lot Valley The Black Madonna of Rocamadour has been venerated since

the 12th century The Grand Staircase of 216 steps, climbed on the knees, is

still performed by pilgrims today A major station on the French route of the

02Plan Your Visit

Getting There

Le Bourg, 46500 Rocamadour, Lot, France

Rocamadour is 55 km from Cahors and 60 km from Figeac. There is a small railway station (L'Hospitalet, 2 km away). By car from Paris: 5 hours via A20 motorway. Shuttle services run from the station. The best approach is on foot from the valley floor.

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Paris Time (CET)

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(summer) The cliff village is accessible on foot only. Cars park at the top (by the chateau) or at the valley floor, with elevators and stairs connecting the levels. The ascent on foot from the village via the Grand Staircase is the traditional pilgrimage approach.

Opening Hours

Chapel of Our Lady9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Village and sanctuary Always accessible [OUTDOOR] Ramparts and château9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

03Must See

What to seek out, and why it matters

Chapel of Our Lady, cliff sanctuary The small 12th-century carved figure

The Black Madonna

dark, serene, the Christ child seated on her knee — is enthroned above the altar in the cave-chapel. The Oriflamme (Charlemagne's sword, according to tradition) hangs from the roof above her. Chains of freed prisoners offered in gratitude line the walls. The darkness of the cave, the candlelight, and the small dark Madonna create an atmosphere of primal devotion. The Grand Staircase (Via Sancta) — 216 steps from the village to the sanctuary [OUTDOOR] The sacred staircase, built in the 12th century, is lined with the Stations of the Cross. Pilgrims who climb it on their knees follow a tradition unchanged since St Louis of France performed this penance in 1244. The kneel takes 45-60 minutes. It is still performed by dozens of pilgrims every day.

The Seven Sanctuaries

Various chapels carved into and built onto the cliff Seven churches and chapels occupy the sanctuary level: the Basilica of St Saviour, the Chapel of Our Lady, the Chapel of St Michael, the Chapel of St John the Baptist, the Chapel of St Amadour, and others.

III

Together they form the Sanctuary complex

a sacred landscape compressed into 150 metres of cliff.

The Village of Rocamadour

Below the sanctuary [OUTDOOR] The medieval village, descending from the sanctuary in layers of golden limestone houses, is itself a remarkable survival of pilgrimage architecture.

Rue de la Couronnerie

Walking its single main street

in the early morning before the tourist shops open, smells of stone and the cool valley air make it entirely medieval.

The Fortified Chateau

Above the sanctuary, at cliff top [OUTDOOR] The 14th-century fortified chateau on the cliff top above the sanctuary gives the most dramatic possible view of the entire complex: village below, sanctuary in the middle, valley far beneath, and the horizon of the Lot department reaching to every direction.

04Masses & Events

Daily Mass9:00 AM or 10:00 AM in the Chapel of Our Lady

In the sanctuary chapel

Feast of Our Lady of RocamadourSeptember 8

The principal Marian feast; pilgrims from across

on the Grand StaircaseYear-round during visiting hours

Pilgrims climb on their knees at any time; no fixed schedule

5Reflection & Prayer

In the 12th century a hermit's body was found in a cliff cave near Rocamadour, perfectly preserved. The local bishop investigated. The body was identified with a holy man. A chapel was built. A statue of the Black Madonna was enshrined. Kings came, prisoners left their chains, the sick were healed. Pilgrims added this village to the route to Santiago. Eight centuries of continuous pilgrimage followed. All of it from a preserved body in a cave. The smallest beginnings become the largest things.

Matthew 13:31-32

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants.”

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A Pilgrim's Prayer

Black Madonna of Rocamadour, enthroned in your cave of gold and candlelight, you have watched eight centuries of pilgrims climb these stairs. Some came on their knees. Some came in chains. Some came with nothing but the hope that you were listening. I climb with whatever I carry. Receive me. And when I reach the top of the steps, let me be lighter than when I began. Amen.

06More

The Black Madonna

The object of veneration is the Black Madonna of Rocamadour — a small 12th-century wooden figure of the Virgin and Child, black from centuries of incense and candlelight, enthroned above the altar of the Chapel of Our Lady. The chapel occupies a cave-grotto in the cliff face, giving the approach a primal quality: pilgrims climb 216 steps from the village below, lined with the Stations of the Cross, to reach a church carved directly into the rock. The Grand Staircase, climbed on the knees by penitents, is one of the great acts of medieval penance still performed today.

St Amadour

The relics of St Amadour — believed by some medieval traditions to be Zaccheus from the Gospels, or a servant of the Virgin Mary — lie beneath the altar of the Chapel of St Amadour adjacent. Whatever the historical identity, the combination of the cliff sanctuary, the Black Madonna, the Stations on the staircase, and the medieval pilgrim atmosphere makes Rocamadour one of the most complete pilgrimage experiences in France.

Gallery5 photos

Saints Associated With This Site

Saint

Blessed Virgin Mary

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