Rocher de la Vierge
The Rocher de la Vierge (Virgin Rock) is a rocky reef on the French Atlantic coast, crowned by a white Madonna and Child and surrounded by water, and is one of the most famous landmarks of the seaside resort of Biarritz .
history
The statue of the Virgin Mary was placed on the top of a ledge in the sea in 1864 to remind of the safe return of the local fishermen and to support them as patron saint in the future.
Due to the special preference of Empress Eugénie for the picturesque former fishing village, the French imperial couple regularly stayed in their newly built summer residence (now the Hotel du Palais ) in Biarritz. From Napoléon III. came the idea of connecting the Jungfrauenfelsen with the mainland with a bridge. Gustave Eiffel implemented this plan in 1887 and created an iron bridge that is accessible via wooden planks; in addition, the Rocher de la Vierge was tunneled under.
photos
The Jungfrauenfelsen during a heavy storm
Historical view from 1913
Partial view
Impression
