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The Roman Art
Pyrenees-Orientals have sumptuous artworks of the 11th and 12th centuries.
Benedictine abbeys, churches and priories tell the birth of the first Roman Art
Abbey of Saint-Michel de Cuixà : A perfect example
Situated in a valley at the foot of the Canigou, the abbey is an outstanding example of Romanesque architecture in the Conflent. It has a large 10th century pre-Romanesque church, a Lombard bell-tower, an 11th century crypt and vestiges of a carved 12th century Romanesque cloister, the earliest in Catalonia and the largest in the Pyrenees. Dwelling place of the Benedictine monks since 578, this is a place of welcome, faith, peace and culture.
Church of Corneilla de Conflent: Another masterpiece
The church, in Romanesque style, has a façade in pink marble, surmounted by a tympanum decorated by a Madonna enthroned with Child and Angels. The columns supporting the archivolts have capitals with rampaging lions, palms and sheep. The circular apse features exteriorly Lombard bands and a saw tooth-shaped frieze, as well as three windows with archivolts over small columns.
The interior is on a nave and two aisles. It houses a altarpiece by Jaume Cascalls (1345). The bell tower is in Lombard Romanesque style; it has Lombard bands decorating each of the three storeys, the middle one having two windows and the upper one a large arch.
Church of Corneilla de Conflent: Another masterpiece
The church, in Romanesque style, has a façade in pink marble, surmounted by a tympanum decorated by a Madonna enthroned with Child and Angels. The columns supporting the archivolts have capitals with rampaging lions, palms and sheep. The circular apse features exteriorly Lombard bands and a saw tooth-shaped frieze, as well as three windows with archivolts over small columns.
The interior is on a nave and two aisles. It houses a altarpiece by Jaume Cascalls (1345). The bell tower is in Lombard Romanesque style; it has Lombard bands decorating each of the three storeys, the middle one having two windows and the upper one a large arch.
Serrabona priory: The light of the flourishing Middle Ages
The priory situated in the heart of the Aspres, was founded in the 11th century, and represents one of the most important examples of European Romanesque sculpture. Its cloister and famous tribune carved from pink marble stand out in sharp relief against the huge blocks of grey schist. The carvings show a great variety of flowers and animals which give us an insight into feudal life.
The priory situated in the heart of the Aspres, was founded in the 11th century, and represents one of the most important examples of European Romanesque sculpture. Its cloister and famous tribune carved from pink marble stand out in sharp relief against the huge blocks of grey schist. The carvings show a great variety of flowers and animals which give us an insight into feudal life.
Abbey at St. Martin du Canigou: An example of early Romanesque art
The abbey, situated in the high mountains, was built by Guilfred, the Count of Cerdagne, Where he retired in 1035. The capitols of the pink marble cloister date from the 12th and 13th centuries and depict secular scenes of animals, reptiles, dancers, chastisements. The church in its lush natural surroundings offers visitors time to reflect and a peaceful moment.
Elne cloister: 26 centuries of history
Once the oldest capital of the region, Elne still dominates the plain from its elevated position. The cathedral (11th century) and the cloister (12th to 14th century) are evidence of the previous importance of the Episcopal see. The cloisters are one of the wonders of Roussillon art. An art museum pays homage to Etienne Terrus, a native of Elne and a friend to Maillol and Matisse.
The abbey, situated in the high mountains, was built by Guilfred, the Count of Cerdagne, Where he retired in 1035. The capitols of the pink marble cloister date from the 12th and 13th centuries and depict secular scenes of animals, reptiles, dancers, chastisements. The church in its lush natural surroundings offers visitors time to reflect and a peaceful moment.
Elne cloister: 26 centuries of history
Once the oldest capital of the region, Elne still dominates the plain from its elevated position. The cathedral (11th century) and the cloister (12th to 14th century) are evidence of the previous importance of the Episcopal see. The cloisters are one of the wonders of Roussillon art. An art museum pays homage to Etienne Terrus, a native of Elne and a friend to Maillol and Matisse.
Benedictine Abbey at St. Génis des Fontaines (11.th-13.th century)
The lintel in the church is the earliest dated Romanesque sculpture (1019-1020). The late Romanesque cloister is remarkable for its simplicity and the coloring of its marbles. Since its creation to its restoration in 1994 the cloister has suffered a lot of history (the French Revolution, the Treaty of the Pyrenees…).
Arles-sur-Tech Abbey
The Romanesque town of Arles-sur-Tech, in the heart of the Vallespir, has the oldest Benedictine abbey in Catalonia (778). In the shade of the oldest gothic cloister in the Roussillon is situated the "Sainte Tomb", from which every year inexplicable drops of water form. This together with the legend of Saint Abdon and Sennan has made this site into a place of faith through the ages.
The lintel in the church is the earliest dated Romanesque sculpture (1019-1020). The late Romanesque cloister is remarkable for its simplicity and the coloring of its marbles. Since its creation to its restoration in 1994 the cloister has suffered a lot of history (the French Revolution, the Treaty of the Pyrenees…).
Arles-sur-Tech Abbey
The Romanesque town of Arles-sur-Tech, in the heart of the Vallespir, has the oldest Benedictine abbey in Catalonia (778). In the shade of the oldest gothic cloister in the Roussillon is situated the "Sainte Tomb", from which every year inexplicable drops of water form. This together with the legend of Saint Abdon and Sennan has made this site into a place of faith through the ages.
And many other monasteries, which declined so sweetly the little Romanesque architecture in our glossary: abbey, blind arcades, home, engaged column, bottom of furnace, mandorla, pier, tetra morph...
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The Pyrenees-Orientales through pictures
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