Marseille, France

Marseille is a city in southeastern France, the center of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region and of the Bouches-du-Rhône department, the second largest in France. Its port is the largest in France and on the Mediterranean, and the fourth largest in the European Union. Marseille was founded in the 7th century BC by Greek merchants from Phocaea, Asia Minor. The city became part of France in 1481. Marseille's importance as a port grew in the 19th century in connection with the colonization of Africa, the opening of the Suez Canal and the development of industry.

Marseille today is a modern city that offers enormous cultural diversity. Almost all of the city's architectural monuments have been restored. Undoubtedly the jewel, the biggest and most famous landmark of Marseille, is the church of Notre-Dame de la Garde, which rises high above the city and is something like the calling card of Marseille. It was built between 1853 and 1864 and its architect was Esperandieu. At the top of the church is the large statue of the Virgin and Child, which is lined with gold, 29400 gold plates were used for this lining. There is no place in Marseille, either by water or land, from which the magnificent statue cannot be seen. The heart of Marseilles beats in its old quarter, Le Pannier. It is mostly situated around the old port of Marseille. Large and bustling markets can be visited here, famous for their variety of spicy eastern spices, colourful African fabrics and weavings and beautiful exotic plants.

At the highest part of Le Pannier in Marseille is an interesting 17th century workshop. Known as the Opis de la Vieille Charité, its building has now been restored in a beautiful baroque style. To go with this beautiful building is a beautiful chapel with rose stone arcades, which regularly hosts various concerts and exhibitions. The building itself houses two museums.

Other interesting sights of Marseille are the Church of St. Other places of interest in Marseille include the Palace of St. Victor, built in the 5th century on the site of a pagan necropolis, the Palais Longchamp, which houses the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Natural History. As one of the oldest cities in the world, Marseille collects many valuable artifacts from different eras, which can be explored in the Historical Museum.

On the calling card of Marseille proudly sits the Cathedrale de la Major, a cathedral consisting of two churches placed side by side, the newer of which was designed by the architects Vaudouillet and Esperandier and its construction began in 1852. The building is in Byzantine style and incorporates calissant stone, Florentine marble, onyx, etc. It is also richly decorated with Venetian mosaics.

The fortress of Saint-Jean, which defended the town from the north, remains as a witness from those times. It was erected in the 13th century by the Knights of the Order of Saint John. It acquired its present appearance in 1660 under Louis XIV.