ABBAYE SAINT-MARTIN-DU-CANIGOU
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A grandiose, vertiginous abbey of early Southern Romanesque art, at an altitude of 1098 metres and in the form of two churches
To discover this emblematic Catalan site in the heart of the Canigó massif, you need to take up your pilgrim's staff. When the abbey appears at the end of the path, the visitor is struck by the beauty of the site, steeped in centuries of prayer. Its arcaded bell tower, marble capitals, vaulted abbey church and crypt make it a jewel of the region's early Romanesque art. Enthusiastically restored in the 20th century, since 1988 it has been entrusted by the diocese to the Catholic community of the Beatitudes, which welcomes visitors to services and masses, and retreatants wishing to share its life for a few days. The community also organizes tours of the abbey, sharing the beauty and peace of this site with all. Be sure to climb up to the viewpoint, which offers a magnificent view of the abbey (5 min away). It stands like an eagle's nest on a rocky outcrop overlooking a ravine at the bottom of which rumbles the Cady. More than its sisters Saint-Michel de Cuxa or Serrabone priory, Saint-Martin fascinates as much by its architecture as by its grandiose, vertiginous site. Founded in the 11th century by Guifred II, Count of Cerdagne and Conflent, and his brother Oliba, Bishop of Cuxa and Ripoll, Saint-Martin is a landmark of Romanesque art, and more specifically of early Southern Romanesque art. Rising to an altitude of 1098 metres, the abbey consists of two superimposed churches and a cloister. The abbey, now a listed historic monument, is one of the nuggets of the Canigó Grand Site de France.
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Members' reviews on ABBAYE SAINT-MARTIN-DU-CANIGOU
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Bien qu'assez raide, le chemin pour s'y rendre est très agréable car très ombragé.
L'abbaye étant occupée, nous n'avons pas eu l'impression de déranger et nous avons pu observer un sourire de la part de chacune des personnes résidantes que nous avons croisées.
Notre seul regret étant de ne pas avoir pu goûter au pain qui cuisait et dont la douce odeur nous enivre une fois la porte franchie :D
Merci pour ce moment !