The pagan temple that became a Catholic shrine: Notre-Dame de la Daurade,

Notre-Dame de la Daurade is a basilica in Toulouse, France, with a history that dates back to the 5th or 6th century. Initially, it was a temple dedicated to Apollo, one of the many buildings on the site. However, in 410, Emperor Honorius allowed the conversion of pagan temples to Christianity, marking a turning point in the history of the basilica. Over time, this ancient place of worship evolved into one of Toulouse’s most significant Christian landmarks.

The current name of the basilica, ‘Deaurade', is a reference to the shimmering golden mosaics that once adorned the early apse, inspiring this name. According to linguistic evidence, the church was in use by the Visigoths before coming into Catholic hands following the Battle of Vouillé in 507. The basilica was demolished in 1761 to make way for the construction of Toulouse's riverside quays. Restored in the 19th century, the church is now a Monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture.

Its most renowned feature is the shrine of a Black Madonna, a copy of which stands today. The original icon was stolen and burned during the French Revolution.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons