HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
This abbey is located in the Conflent near the towns of Prades and Vernet-les-Bains. This complex gave inspiration to a great deal of monasteries throughout the region and is regarded as a perfect example of Roman Art. It all began in 878 when around thirty monks fled heavy floods in the monastery in Eixalada (in the Conflent), to relocate in the fertile valley of Cuxa and founded the first abbey in 883 using the protection and money of the counts of Cerdagne and the support of the clergy. The monastery was built in two separate phases; the first is the work of the Cistercian abbot Garin, a man of action and great 10th century traveller, the second phase was carried out by the abbot Olida a craftsman responsible for numerous changes made to the greatest Catalan monasteries, (Ripoll or Montserrat). This monastery was a showpiece of Catalan Roman art that witnessed the influential times from the 9th to the 17th centuries before being destroyed during the Revolution and falling prey to pillagers. Most of the monastery has since been restored. The pre-Roman church which was consecrated in 974, was one of the biggest in France by the year 1000. Only one of the two 12th century bells remains as well as a square tower decorated with the characteristic Lombard bands.
The cloister, a masterpiece of Roussillon art, was pieced back together in the 1950s. Its pink marble capitals were the first Roman sculptures in Catalonia adorned with amusing animal or floral motifs instead of religious ones. The abbey of Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa was an important cultural meeting place where monks came from throughout Europe to study. Today, it is home to a small community of Benedictines from Montserrat, in Catalonia.
Further information:
Abbaye St Michel de Cuxa
66500 CODALAND
Phone number: 04 68 96 15 35
Visits:
May to September: from 9.30am – 12pm and 2 - 6pm
The rest of the year: from 9.30am – 12pm and 2 - 5pm
Closed on Sunday mornings and bank holidays.
Adults €5
Children (12 -18 yrs) €3
Free for under 12s
For more information please visit http://monsite.wanadoo.fr/abbaye.cuixa/index.jhtml
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Saint Martin du Canigou is an old Benedictine abbey situated in the commune of Casteil near Vernet les Bains on the Canigou mountain range in the Pyrenees Orientales. It is one of the first examples of southern Roman art in Catalonia. This famous monastery dates from the 11th century and was restored 50 years ago by Monseigneur de Carsalade du Pont, bishop of Elne and Perpignan who saved this abbey from ruin with his own money. The church is built on two levels and comprises a crypt dedicated to the Virgin Mary, known as Our-Lady-underground as well as an upper nave dedicated to Saint Martin. A third sanctuary, the little chapel of Saint Michel is on the first floor of the clock tower.
DIRECTIONS
The trail of Saint Martin du Canigou starts at Casteil and starts to climb upwards immediately. After a short while, the path snakes through the forest of Marialles with its chestnut trees and reveals a view that makes the trek worthwhile, just above, at 1055m, the abbey of Saint Martin appears on a promontory of Canigou mountain chain like an eagle’s nest.
The ascent by foot, takes between 30 and 50 minutes from the town of Casteil.
Distance: 1600m. Height differential: approximately 300m.
NB: there are no water fonts on the way up.
You can also go up in a 4x4:
- Garage Cullel: 04.68.05.64.61
Further information:
Abbaye Saint Martin du Canigou
66820 CASTEIL
Tel.04.68.05.50.03
Visits:
June – September: 10am-11am-12pm-2pm-3pm-4pm and 5pm
The rest of the year: 10h-11h-14h-15h-16h
Adults €5
Children (12-18 yrs) €3.50
Under 12s visit free
For more information please visit www.stmartinducanigou.org
