The Church of Notre Dame des Laves, at the start of the Route des Laves.
Place of worship, the church of Piton Sainte-Rose in the town of Sainte-rose, built in 1927, was miraculously spared during the eruption outside the enclosure on April 8, 1977 and since then renamed Notre Dame des Laves. The staircase that leads to the entrance of the church was shaped in the lava that had surrounded the building.
The Church of Our Lady of the Lava
The 1977 flow passed through the village of Snape Sainte-Rose, over the Easter weekend. It happened in record time and had catastrophic consequences on the population, leaving traces in the memories until today. You can also find out more about this event in the interpretation space located on the casting, in the former gendarmerie. But what interests us here is the church. The legend says that the lava stopped at its main gate, pushed back by the Lord! Scientists have a much more rational explanation. But we can stick to our beliefs! Thanks to a natural reconstitution, you can still realize it today.
The Virgin with the Parasol
Placed directly in the church, you also have the “virgin with the parasol”. This virgin had been commissioned by a vanilla planter. Indeed, in answer to his prayers, the lava had spared his vanilla fields. The Virgin has long been positioned in the Burn victim. It had also been bypassed by lava during an eruption last century. Then many times moved to prevent it from disappearing in the lava flows. Recently, after a stay at the rectory, she was installed in the church so that we could pray to her serenely.
Discovery of the Lava Tunnels
Activities to do in Sainte-Rose
Where to eat ?
Where to sleep ?
