Valcabrère - Basilica Saint-Just-de-Valcabrère

Isolated, surrounded by an old graveyard, near the village of Valcabrère (pop. ~150) stands the extraordinary Basilica Saint-Just, erected within the 11th and 12th century for the pilgrims walking the "Chemin du Piemont". The basilica is only about half an hour walk east of the Cathedral of Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges, the seat of an ancient diocese.

In Roman time the area was densely populated and the settlement may have had about 30.000 inhabitants, before it got looted by the Vandals within the 5th century.

When the building process of the Basilica started, there were still lots of Roman ruins around. These older material got reused here.

The portal of the basilica has impressive carvings. Four lifesize jamb statues flank the entrance. Three men (of which two hold a book) and one woman. All are standing on hellish creatures. Above their heads are very large and elaborate capitals.

Here are the two jamb statues of the right side. Does the woman wear a crown? A queen? Mary? The man to the right is probably an evangelist. There is a small hole just below the lady´s knees, maybe for a glass bead. Over the "evangelist`s" shoulder is something missing, if this was a sword or dagger (that may have got stolen) the person may be Matthew. What does his index finger point to?