Prieuré de Serrabone

Before a paved road was constructed to the Serrabone Priory about 50 years ago, this place could only be reached via small mule tracks. The priory is still a secluded, hidden place in the valley of the Boulès, on the eastern foothills of the Canigou.

There had been a simple church before the monastery was founded before 1069, but what can be seen now, dates back to the 12 century, when Augustinian canons lived here a hard life.

After the monastery was given up by papal order in 1592, the church was still used by a parish later, but buildings crumbled. First efforts to reconstruct the priory were taken end of the 19th century, but the isolation of the place made that very difficult. After the road was constructed things changed, so in 1966 the new roof was finished - and the "monument" opened for visitors.

Only one side of the cloister still exists. Most capitals here depicts lions. Here on the left are eagles - and in the center lions devouring their prey. The two rear legs of the prey still hang out of the lions´ mouths.