Saint-Papoul - Abbaye de Saint-Papoul

The abbey was founded within the 8th century. It is dedicated to Saint Papoul, a disciple of Saint Saturnin, missionary and first bishop of Toulouse. It was believed that Saint Papoul was martyred near the place, where the abbey is now.

Later a monk named Berenger (or Berengar) lived a pious life here. After he got canonized his relics attracted the first pilgrims to this place. In the aftermath of the crusade against the Cathars the papal organisation created new (smaller) dioceses to enable a stricter control. So since 1317 the abbey church of Saint Papoul was promoted to a cathedral, holding a bishopric (upto 1801).

Saint Papoul is a quiet little village, that is one of my favourite places since a long time. Yes, there are the works of the "Maître de Cabestany", who is known under this name since the 1930s when a tympanum and other carvings were found in Cabestany (near Perpignan), but there is so much more. The range of different artistic styles and icons in Saint-Papoul is enormous.

The abbey was looted during the Hundred Years' War and Wars of Religion and neglected over decades during the 19th century - so there are lots of graffiti. Maybe prilgrims following the Via Tolosana added a few. "Sole graffiti" (just like "horseshoe-graffiti") are often connected to medieval pilgrims. Here I am not sure. It could be a sole, but it could as well be ... something else.