Avioth - About the Gothic basilica

This modest village decorates in a completely unexpected way of a marvellous Gothic basilica built to the XIV ^E century, the Basilica Notre-Dame d' Avioth. The interior conceals very beautiful ornaments but it is outside that is most astonishing: Recevresse,

"Recevresse" is a single monument in the world and its reproduction, natural size, are with the Museum of the French monuments in Paris. This chief of work of the blazing Gothic was probably built at the place of discovered miraculous statue "on his bush of spines". He replaces a first more modest oratory. At the beginning of XIVème century, when the statue of Notre-Dame d' Avioth could enter its church, another statue of the Virgin taken her place to receive, on its behalf, the offerings of the pilgrims. This statue was called: the Recevresse Virgin. With time, the name of Recevresse was given to the monument. Thus, for eight centuries, the Basilica of Avioth has been built and maintained thanks to gifts and to offerings. It is still the case today. Thanks to the generosity of the members of the association of the friends of the Basilica of Avioth and many pilgrims who come to request Notre-Dame d' Avioth, the commune can engage regularly of work and obtain the assistance of the department, the area and the state.

The shackles above the statue were placed there by prisoners as a sign of recognition in Notre-Dame d' Avioth for their delivery. The armorial bearings on the wall are those of Gilles de Rodemack, provost of Montmédy and governor of Luxembourg at the beginning of XVème century. Recevresse was restored by Boeswilwald of 1844 to 1846.



Pierre Van Oostveldt