Vezelay - Definition and Overview

Vézelay is a commune in the Yonne département in the Burgundy region of France.

The Benedictine abbey of Vézelay was founded in the 9th century.

Shortly thereafter, it acquired the relics of Mary Magdalene and since then it has been an important place of pilgrimage.

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux preached there in favor of a second crusade at Easter 1146, in front of King Louis VII.

Richard I of England and Philip II of France met there to leave for the Third Crusade in 1190.

With its sculpted capitals and portal, the Madeleine of Vézelay ? a 12th century monastic church ? is a masterpiece of Burgundian Romanesque art and architecture.

Vézelay, Church and Hill were added to the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1979.