Located on a rocky summit in Allauch, the sanctuary of Notre-Dame du Château finds its origin in an oratory founded by the Cassianite monks. Having become the property of the chapter of the Major, which built a fortress there, the site has since been a center of Marian devotion. Its main feast is celebrated on September 8, the day of the Nativity of the Virgin.
Guided reading
5 reading sections
NOTRE-DAME DU CHÂTEAU, IN ALLAUCH,
IN THE DIOCESE OF MARSEILLE
Topography and landscape
Geographical description of the sanctuary located on a rocky spur overlooking the village of Allauch and offering a panoramic view of the Marseille plain.
The sanctuary of Notre-Dame du Château rises almost at the summit of a rocky mass whose flanks support the ancient village of Allauch. At the fo Allauch Commune in Provence where the sanctuary is located. ot of the rocks begins a small plain, of very irregular shape, cut here and there by hillsides of pines or olive trees, and surrounded on each side by two lines of hills, mostly bare and crownless, which lead to the sea. At the other end of the plain appears Marseille, seated on the shores of the Medi Marseille Birthplace of the saint. terranean, whose blue waves, like the sky of Provence, come to expire at its feet. Notre-Dame du Château therefore looks at once upon the magnificent sanctuary of Notre-Dame de la Garde and the tower of Notre-Dame de Notre-Dame de la Garde Famous sanctuary in Marseille, used as a benchmark for antiquity. Sainte-Espérance; to the right, one can see, as if leaning against the rocks that dominate it, the old pilgrimage site of Notre-Dame des Anges; while one can distinguish, to the left, lost in a cluster of pines, the graceful oratory dedicated to Notre-Dame de la Salette.
Sources and traditions
Despite the loss of the communal archives in the 16th century, the history of the site relies on oral tradition and a 1713 manuscript written by a parish priest of Allauch.
Tradition holds that this sanctuary dates back to a more remote era than that of Notre-Dame de la Garde. However, the destruction of the archives of the commune of Allauch, towards the beginning of the 16th century, does not allow us to provide the rigorous proof that one would be entitled to demand in support of this assertion. Furthermore, thanks to unforgivable negligence, the complete history of this chapel escapes us no less than its origin. This history exists, however, composed by the faith of our fathers and the merciful power of our Mother in heaven. The Angels know it. As for us, reduced to suspicions that are still full of charm, we wish to say at least what we have retained from the ancient traditions of our country and what we have learned from a few rare documents and, above all, a precious manuscript from 1713, due to the pious erudition of a venerable parish priest of Allauch.
Cassianite Origins
From the earliest centuries, the Cassianite monks founded a first oratory dedicated to the Virgin on the heights of Allauch.
From the earliest ages of the Church, t he Cassianite religio religieux Cassianites Monks following the tradition of Saint John Cassian, early founders of the oratory. us came to establish a convent in the Saint-Pierre district, around which they soon attracted a certain number of farmers who cleared the lands of this locality. The sons of Saint Cassian, struck by the saint Cassien Founder of the monastery for nuns on the banks of the Huveaune. beauty of the site where the sanctuary of Notre-Dame du Château stands today, founded on these heights a modest oratory in honor of the most holy Virgin. It was there that they would go, at certain times of the year, with all their subjects, to offer to the Queen of Heaven, along with the tribute of their faith and their love, humble but sincere offerings.
Development and Castle
The chapter of the Major succeeded the monks, erected a protective castle, and transformed the oratory into the current chapel under the title of Our Lady of the Castle.
Little by little, the inhabitants of Saint-Pierre, as well as the peasants of the Huveaune valley, or the Laza district, following their preferences or yielding to the necessities of those still barbaric times, abandoned the plain and came to fix their dwellings at the foot of Mary's chapel. In changing their position, they were also to change masters . The venerable chap chapitre de la Major Body of canons of the Cathedral of Marseille, lords of Allauch. ter of the Major did not delay, in fact, in succeeding the religious of Saint-Pierre in the possession of this territory. The new lord built, on the mountain, a castle flanked by towers and surrounded by ramparts, of which one can still find half-erased vestiges today. This grandiose and formidable dwelling, where the members of the sacred Chapter came to take shelter during vacation times, was placed under the protection of her whom the Church calls the Tower of David. The modest oratory of the Cassianites was replaced by the current chapel which dominated the castle and the entire surrounding region. Since that time, Mary has always been invoked in this sanctuary under the title of Our Lady of the Castle, and her feast has remained fixed on September 8, the day on which the C glorieuse Nativité Liturgical feast celebrated on September 8. hurch celebrates her glorious Nativity.
Attribution
Mention of the author of the historical notice, Canon Antoine Ricard.
We owe this notice to the kindness of Mr. Anto ine Ricard, ho Antoine Ricard Abbé of Marseille who provided the biographical notice. norary canon of Marseille.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Foundation of a modest oratory by the Cassianite monks in the Saint-Pierre district
- Settlement of the plain's inhabitants at the foot of the chapel for security reasons
- Succession of the Major chapter to the religious of Saint-Pierre
- Construction of a fortified castle by the new seigniorial chapter
- Replacement of the oratory by the current chapel overlooking the castle
- Destruction of the municipal archives around the beginning of the 16th century
Quotes
-
This grandiose and formidable dwelling... was placed under the protection of the one whom the Church calls the Tower of David.
Source text