AMADEUS Story
Sara-la-Kali and the belief in life
Imagine sitting on the beach at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in the Camargue and turning back the clock almost 2,000 years. Then you will witness a legend. It tells of a barque rocking on the Mediterranean Sea. Without a rudder, without sails, with four women on board who fled Judea as persecuted Christians.
Their names are Mary Salome, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene, the former companion of Jesus. The fourth is Sara, Mary Magdalene's Egyptian servant. The boat is washed ashore, the women disembark and find refuge in the fishing village - according to legend, the birthplace of Christianity in southern France.
Sara and her companions establish a small community in the village. But they have nothing to eat. In order to survive, Sara travels through the Camargue, knocking on doors and begging for alms. At the same time, she shares her love for God with the locals. They listen to her, give her what little they have, and call her “Gitane” - the “gypsy”.
Sara soon became known beyond the borders of the Camargue. The Sinti and Roma in particular identified with her. They chose her as their patron saint – and found a place of pilgrimage in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer that still attracts them today. This is because the Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer houses the relics of Sara and the three Marys. Every year on May 24, the town at the mouth of the Rhône is transformed into a sea of color. During the pilgrimage, the four women float as colorfully dressed statues to the sea, where they are sprinkled with water. Children are baptized and weddings are celebrated.
Even outside of the pilgrimage, this place has retained its magic. You can experience it for yourself during your Rhône cruise – on our AMADEUS excursion to the Camargue. Here you will traverse a seemingly endless natural paradise, home to white horses, semi-wild bulls, and pink flamingos. And Sara-la-Kali. In Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, stroll through the colorful alleys, open the door to the famous church, and learn more about the legend of Sara.
Follow the footsteps of Sara-la-Kali:
