Romanesque abbeys

Photos of two Romanesque abbeys : Saint-Martin-du-Canigou and Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa.
* Saint-Martin-du-Canigou abbey is perched on the top of a rock and only accessible on foot. Building work was instigated in 1007AD by Guilfred, count of Cerdagne. Seriously damaged by an earthquake in 1428, it was rebuilt five years later. But the worship of saint Martin gradually fell away and was dropped after the departure of the last monks in the XVIIIth century, leaving pillagers and smugglers to take the furnishings and capitals. Monks returned to the abbey in 1988, and have welcomed believers and tourists ever since.
* The history of Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa begins with a flood… In 878 AD, the religious community from Eixalada monastery was forced to take refuge at Cuxa, under the protection of the counts of Cerdagne, following a dramatic rise in the waters of the Tęt. Sixty monks set up a communication network which offered the abbey unique influence throughout Europe. During the Revolution, most of the building was destroyed and the abbey abandoned until 1950. It owes its new life to cellist Pablo Casals, a refugee in France after fleeing from Franco's dictatorship. After years of silence, he gave his first public concerts in the church.

Mount Canigou Buy Print	Pyrenees Buy Print	Pyrenees 2 Buy Print	Chapel Buy Print
Near the abbey Buy Print	St-Martin-du-Canigou abbey Buy Print	Cloister Buy Print	View from the abbey Buy Print
Crenellated bell tower Buy Print	Profane scene Buy Print	Place of meditation Buy Print	Silence Buy Print