Lourdes, the sanctuary of excess

Lourdes, the sanctuary of excess

Lourdes is one of the most mysterious places in Christianity. It is in this cave in the Pyrenees that the Virgin herself appeared in person to a young peasant woman in the middle of the 19th century. Lourdes is so sacred that it has become one of Europe’s major shrines, attracting millions of pilgrims from all over the world.

52 hectares is the enormous area over which the sanctuary extends. It includes a cave, the largest underground crypt in the world. 15 basins in which pilgrims bathe, a church and three basilicas. The sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and the Basilica of the Rosary were all built in different styles and at different times. The architects had to face many challenges and overcome space constraints to build these massive megastructures and be able to accommodate all the faithful.

Using 3D images, expert testimonies and archives, the documentary deciphers the human feats and incredible stories behind this sanctuary of excess.