St. Mary's Grotto de Meije

This Marian grotto is part of the Church of the Nativity (Our Lady Nativity) and is located on a tourist walking and cycling route. In the period between Pentecost and the autumn holidays, the church is visited by visitors from all over the world. The cave itself, which is located in the backyard of the church, is a contemporary pilgrimage site all year round.

The iconography of Mary on the crescent moon is largely based on the Revelation of John, where it is written, "And a great sign was seen in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a garland of twelve stars on her head" (Revelation 12:1). The crescent moon is the classic symbol of chastity. The serpent is the symbol of evil, the apple in the serpent's mouth refers to the fall of man. Mary tramples on the head of a serpent, the victory over sin. The image is largely based on the Revelation of John, which says: "A great sign appeared in the heavens: a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet" (Rev 12:1) and the story of the fall from Genesis, where God says to the serpent: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your offspring and hers. It will threaten your head, and you will threaten his heel" (Gen 3:15).

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