Walking the Camino de Santiago
The next morning, I began my Camino day with the descent from Rocamadour. The stone steps were a little slippery following a nocturnal thunderstorm, so I took my time, gingerly exploring each step and hanging on to the stone wall at the left as best I could. After the great crush of tourists yesterday, it was eerie to see the […]
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After dinner, we headed back to the gîte and beheld Rocamadour. I wish I had a better camera – I had to zoom pretty heavily to get the image. You can clearly see the three levels of the place: the medieval village at the bottom, the sanctuary district in the middle with its basilica and shrine to the Black Madonna, […]
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After walking the Way of the Cross, I returned to the sanctuary of the Black Virgin to find Vespers already underway. I joined in with many other pilgrims there. Afterwards, we prayed the Angelus, and then the priest gave us all a blessing, as well as a holy card with the Memorare in French and a medal depicting Our Lady of Rocamadour. […]
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From the top of Rocamadour’s Way of the Cross, you can see the château that once guarded the top of the cliff. It dates from the 13th century, though the actual fortifications were demolished sometime after the Revolution. Nowadays, it’s the residence of the folks who work in the Sanctuary district, as well as being a swanky hotel. Date: 01 […]
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Rocamadour’s Stations of the Cross end at this grotto, which contains a life-sized sculpture of Christ being laid into the tomb. I’m posting two photos today, one of the approach and one of the actual sculpture. Hopefully, from this, you can get a feel for the immensity and power of this final station, very near to the top of the […]
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Rocamadour’s Sanctuary district is only halfway up the cliffside. From here, you can walk a winding path built of switchbacks to the top of the cliff. All along the way, there are little shrines with the Stations of the Cross. I’ve included a representative view of the path with one of the stations. I walked the Way and prayed at […]
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For the next few days (through the Thanksgiving break), I’ll be posting some of the spectacular views from Rocamadour. Far below the ramparts of the Sanctuary district, the highway to Rocamadour climbs the hill to eventually meet up with the main road into the medieval city. You can just about see one of the switchbacks down below. Date: 01 September […]
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For the next few days (through the Thanksgiving break), I’ll be posting some of the spectacular views from Rocamadour. Looking down, you can see the old medieval town on the level below the Sanctuary level. It follows the cliffside until it becomes nothing more than a treacherously steep hill. Date: 01 September 2023 Place: Rocamadour, Lot Département, Region of Occitanie, […]
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For the next few days (through the Thanksgiving break), I’ll be posting some of the spectacular views from Rocamadour. As I explored the various chapels and passages in Rocamadour’s Sanctuary level, I was particularly struck by this view of the neighbouring cliffs through this lovely arched window. Date: 01 September 2023 Place: Rocamadour, Lot Département, Region of Occitanie, France Maps! […]
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Eventually, Bruno, Ávila, Valentina, and Paul—my roommates from last night—finally arrived in Rocamadour. It was a short day, and they decided to leave late and dawdle. I might have done the same, but for the heat wave affecting France. From experience, I know how badly I do in the full heat of the day, so I left at my normal […]
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