The legend
According to tradition, Mary Jacobe and Mary Salome, with their servant Sara, landed by boat on this coast. The place, called Sancta Maria de Ratis in the 6th century, became Notre-Dame-de-la-Barque, then Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer, and took the name Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in 1838.
Two pilgrimages
In 1343 Pope Benedict XII set the feasts of the saints on 25 May (Mary Jacobe) and 22 October (Mary Salome). Today the main pilgrimage takes place every year on 24 and 25 May; the October one is held on the weekend closest to the 22nd. The reliquaries are lowered in the church, then the saints’ boat is carried in procession to the sea for the blessing.
Sara the Black
Venerated by Gypsies, fairground and circus people, Sara does not appear in written sources until 1521. On 24 May 1935, at the initiative of the Marquis Folco de Baroncelli, her statue was carried in procession to the sea by the Gypsies for the first time. The pilgrimage, which draws Romani people from all over Europe, thus took its present form.
Test yourself
What are the dates of the main May pilgrimage?
- 1 and 2 May
- 24 and 25 May (answer)
- 14 and 15 August
In which year was Sara’s statue first carried to the sea?
- 1838
- 1935 (answer)
- 1977
Which saint is honoured in October?
- Mary Salome (answer)
- Mary Jacobe
- Sara
Since when has the village been called Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer?
- 513
- 1343
- 1838 (answer)