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Rocamadour

The Vertical Pilgrimage
Sacred CitiesHeritage Gems
Portrait

Rocamadour clings to a limestone cliff in three tiers — village, sanctuaries, castle — and pilgrims have climbed the 216 steps to the chapels since the twelfth century, traditionally on their knees. The Black Madonna above the altar is a walnut-wood carving, and a bell in the chapel is said to ring by itself when a sailor is saved at sea.

Nearby in the atlas
Sarlat — The Périgord TableAlbi — The Brick CathedralBordeaux — Wine CivilisationCarcassonne — The Double Walls
If you like this city
Assisi, Italy — Umbrian SilenceBethlehem, Palestine — The Nativity TownCanterbury, UK — The Pilgrims' Tale
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