University of Notre Dame
Universtiy of Notre Dame

Marble: Museums, Archives, Rare Books and Libraries Exploration

Home Browse Featured My Portfolios About
  1. Home ›
  2. Architectural Lantern Slides›
  3. Architectural Lantern Slides of France›
  4. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Grotto ›

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Grotto: Interior of grotto as it appeared

Date

Circa 1910

Creator

G. Massiot & cie
Part of: Architectural Lantern Slides of France
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries

In contrast to the grandness of Rosary Square and the various basilicas the grotto at Massabielle where St Bernadette's visions took place is very simple and stark. The recess of the grotto itself is undecorated, although a plain stone altar and lectern have been placed there so that Mass can be said. Above the main recess is the niche where the apparitions took place and Fabisch's statue now stands. (In 1864, the Lyonnais sculptor Joseph-Hugues Fabisch was commissioned to create a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes based on Bernadette's descriptions.) The spring Bernadette is said to have dug can be seen at the rear of the grotto, shielded by a glass cover. Some of the rock walls around the grotto bear clear signs of deliberate alteration, presumably to improve access for pilgrims. It is no longer clear what the original configuration of the grotto was.

Images

This is called Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Grotto: Interior of grotto as it appeared within the category of photographs.Open in external viewer application

Metadata

Creator
G. Massiot & cie
Date
Circa 1910
Publisher
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Material Type
photographs
Conditions Governing Access
To view the physical lantern slide, please contact the Architecture Library to arrange an appointment

Metadata

Campus Location
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Link to Finding Aid
https://curate.nd.edu/show/x346d220w1r
This digital collection may not include all items or all of the information available about the source collection. See the finding aid for more information.

Metadata

Contact Us

Our collection information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. If you have spotted an error, please contact Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries at asklib@nd.edu.


Also from Architectural Lantern Slides of France

Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel: Overall view from front

Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel: Overall view from front

Château de Maisons-Laffitte: Overall view, southeast-facing garden front

Château de Maisons-Laffitte: Overall view, southeast-facing garden front

Church of Saint-Maclou: Exterior detail, west facade with step gables, tracery, and rose window

Church of Saint-Maclou: Exterior detail, west facade with step gables, tracery, and rose window

Amiens Cathedral: Band of reliefs, two rows of quatrefoils

Amiens Cathedral: Band of reliefs, two rows of quatrefoils

Church of Notre-Dame-la-Grande, Poitiers: Overall view, west facade

Church of Notre-Dame-la-Grande, Poitiers: Overall view, west facade

Reims Cathedral: Exterior detail, jamb figures of the west facade

Reims Cathedral: Exterior detail, jamb figures of the west facade

Related Items

No results found for .
Raclin Murphy Art Museum
100 Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
Phone (574) 631–5466
RMMACollections@nd.edu
Hesburgh Library
284 Hesburgh Library
Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
Phone (574) 631-6258
asklib@nd.edu
© 2025 University of Notre Dame
Marble: Museums, Archives, Rare Books and Libraries Exploration
AboutPortfoliosHelpAccessibilitySite Map