The Golden Virgin, majestically perched at the summit, is a remarkable creation by Albert Roze. Adorned with 25,000 gold leaves, amounting to 180 grams of pure gold, it truly stands as a treasure visible from afar.
Unfortunately, the Basilica of Notre Dame de Brebières was completely destroyed during the Great War, specifically during the Battle of the Somme. On January 15, 1915, over 2,000 shells struck the building, and the Golden Virgin, leaning horizontally, became a poignant symbol of a legend. Commonwealth soldiers would whisper, "When the Virgin falls, the war will cease." Indeed, she fell on April 16, 1918, the very year the war came to an end.
The Australians affectionately nicknamed the Golden Virgin "Fanny," as her tilted silhouette reminded them of Fanny Durack, their renowned Olympic swimmer.
In the aftermath, many soldiers took fragments or artifacts from the Basilica as good luck charms. For those fortunate enough to survive, they returned these objects years later. Countless individuals have sketched or photographed the statue in its horizontal position, contributing to its global recognition.