Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Africa, Bologhine, Algeria
The Basilica of Our Lady of Africa is a shrine dedicated to the VIRGIN MARY the Mother of Jesus commonly referred to in Algiers as LALLA MYRIAM or MADAM AFRICA. It is a prominent place for meditation, forgiveness, silence, prayer, peace.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Africa was built thanks to the faith and tenacity of two Christian women, Marguerite Berger and Agarithe Cinqin. They were able to convince the bishop of Algiers at the time, Bishop Pavy to undertake the construction of the building (1846-1866) which was finally inaugurated by Cardinal Lavigerie in 1872. It is the work of the French architect Jean Eugène Fromageau. The exterior is built in a Byzantine style, while the inside is inspired by Spanish-Moorish architecture.
From the beginning the basilica has been a place of prayer and pilgrimage for generations of Christians who came to pray for themselves, for their children, for sailors at sea, for missionaries who left to preach the Gospel, for combatants, prisoners and the sick.
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