Vézelay Abbey, located in Vézelay, France, is a historic Benedictine and Cluniac monastery renowned for its stunning Romanesque architecture. Founded in the 9th century, the abbey became a major pilgrimage site, particularly noted for housing relics of Mary Magdalene. The Abbey Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, with its intricately carved tympanum and barrel-vaulted nave, is a masterpiece of medieval art and architecture. Vézelay Abbey played a significant role in the history of Christianity, including being the starting point for the Third Crusade.
Vézelay is a charming commune located in the Yonne department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of France. It is renowned for its stunning hilltop basilica, the Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The village is a significant stop on the Way of St. James pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Vézelay's narrow, medieval streets, historic buildings, and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside make it a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims alike.
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