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The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière (known as Basilique de Fourvière in French) is a minor basilica in Lyon. It was built with private funds between 1872 and 1884 in a dominating position in the city. The site it occupies was once the Roman forum of Trajan, the ''forum vetus'' (old forum), thus its name (as an inverted corruption of the French ''Vieux-Forum''). ==Role in the history and life of the city== Fourvière is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who saved the city of Lyon from the bubonic plague, the Black Death, that was sweeping Europe in 1643.〔(Basilica Notre Dame de Fourvière Website )〕 Each year in early December (December 8, day of the Immaculate Conception), Lyon thanks the Virgin for saving the city by lighting candles throughout the city, in what is called the Fête des Lumières or the Festival of Lights.〔(Brennan, Jim. "An Unplanned Pilgrimage", ''St. Anthony Messenger'', January 2013 )〕 The Virgin is also credited with saving the city a number of other times, such as from a Cholera epidemic in 1832, and a Prussian invasion in 1870.〔 During the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1), Prussian forces, having taken Paris, were progressing south towards Lyon. Their halt and retreat were, once again, attributed by the Church to the intercession of the Virgin Mary. Speculating on the reasons for the construction of such an elaborate and expensive building, one author makes the statement that: "The reaction to the communes of Paris and Lyon were triumphalist monuments, the Sacré-Coeur of Montmartre and the basilica of Fourvière, dominating both cities. These buildings were erected using private funds, as gigantic ex-votos, thanking God for the victory over the socialists and in expiation of the sins of modern France."〔Bertrand Taithe, ''Citizenship and Wars: France in Turmoil, 1870-1871'', chapter "Religious Identities and Citizenship" 2001:100〕 Perched on top of the Fourvière hill, the basilica looms impressively over the city of Lyon, from where it can be seen from many vantage points; not unintentionally, the basilica of Fourvière has become a symbol of the city. The basilica, which offers guided tours and contains a Museum of Sacred Art, receives 2 million visitors annually.〔 At certain times, members of the public may access the basilica's north tower for a spectacular 180-degree view of Lyon and its suburbs. On a clear day, Mont Blanc, the highest point in Europe, can be seen in the distance.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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