Leaning Virgin

We’re in Albert in Northern France, which, during the Battle of the Somme, was a centre for intense military activity and suffered huge material damage from bombardments. After the War, it was completely rebuilt and much of the architecture is in the Art Deco style of the 1920s and 1930s. A lovely place to walk around in the sunshine. (I chose that option, rather than the underground 1916 Museum)

This is the Basilica Notre Dame du Brebières, built on a vast scale in 1885 to 1897 by architect Edmond Duthoit. It was shelled during the War, reducing it to a ruin, and at one point the ‘Golden Virgin’ statue that topped the 70 metre tower remained suspended in a horizontal position. There was a belief amongst soldiers that, when the statue fell, the war would end. It finally collapsed in 1918. The Basilica was later rebuilt to its original plans and is a magnificent building, dominating the town – and the view from our hotel window.
  
Interesting that the road we entered the town on is named Rue Birmingham, in honour of some of the workmen who came to help with the rebuilding of the town.