Notre Dame d'Afrique
The Basilica of Our Lady of Africa (French Basilique de Notre- Dame d' Afrique ) is a Roman Catholic Marian pilgrimage church and minor basilica in the Algerian capital, Algiers.
History
The church stands on a steep coastline of the Bay of Algiers, 124 meters above the sea. This created the French at the beginning of colonial rule in 1846 a cave for a Black Madonna, which had been given to the first bishop of Algiers Antoine Dupuch of the Dames du Sacre -Coeur in Lyon. Soon testified votive prayers, and the number of pilgrims increased. A temporary chapel was in the 1860s, replaced by the present representative Basilica, designed by Jean Eugène Fromageau. The consecration took place in 1872, Archbishop Charles Martial Lavigerie. A few years earlier he had founded Our Lady of Africa here the Society of Missionaries of Africa and the Missionary Sisters.
The Basilica was extensively painted and furnished in the subsequent period. Damages they suffered due to weather conditions and earthquakes, most recently in 2003. Since the Algerian war and the independence of the country, the number of Catholics went to Algiers continuing to fall, but the number of pilgrims and tourists grew. 2007 to 2010 a three-year comprehensive restoration and renovation was carried out. The cost of five million euros were applied to the European Union and private sponsors and donors by the Algerian State of France.
Architecture
The Marian basilica in Algiers combines Byzantine, Arab and occidental - Romanesque style elements. It is a basilica with nave and recently Dreikonchenchor. Over the crossing is a large dome on kreuzbekrönte durchfenstertem round drum. The two small decorative towers flanking the crowned by a statue of the Virgin portal facade and the main apse; before it is horizontally centered on the longitudinal axis of the minaret -like bell tower. The wall surfaces appear since the major restoration in 2010 bright white. Under the eaves runs a broad blue-white ornamental band.
Equipment
Decoration and pictures
The interior design combines oriental and western elements. The rich, predominantly blue ornamentation inspired by Ottoman mosques. The biblical and historical paintings show the taste of romantic historicism. The winning Black Madonna, wrapped with outstretched arms, without the Holy Child, in a chasuble -like, richly embroidered blue coat robe, standing in a blue and gold ciborium above the tabernacle.
Organ
The organ with 26 stops on three manuals and pedal is a work by Charles Mutin. It was made in 1911 for the private villa of a rich Englishman in Algiers. After his death his widow donated it to the Basilica, where it was in 1930 placed on a specially built gallery.