Chapel of St Michael dAiguilhe, France

In the tiny French town of Le Puy-en-Velay is the famous chapel St. Michael dAiguilhe. This place was known for its unusual location around the world. It was built on the top of the hill whose height is 100 meters. To get up on the top of the rock and watch the old chapel close, you have to climb the long staircase, which consists of 268 steps. The courageous tourists who are not afraid of the long and steep staircase are rewarded on the summit - from this rock, the unforgettable panorama opens up to the tiny town and its surroundings.

The construction of the chapel began on the orders of Bishop Puy in 962. In this way he wanted to celebrate the important event - the return from the pilgrimage of St. Michael. The first building was a small chapel with three apses. In the 12th century the religious structure was considerably expanded. Apart from two chapels and the bell tower, the ambulance was built here.

The hill, on the summit of which is the old chapel, is an important archaeological object. During the excavation, the archaeologists have established that the Roman temple was still standing on the top of the hill in ancient times. Here the inhabitants of Old Rome sacrificed the Mercury of God. The chapel has many secrets that even the experienced explorers are amazed. In the middle of the 20th century the scientists discovered the hiding with the sacred Christian relics in the research work. Today, all visitors can see these valuable finds in the main chapel. Next - Potala Palace