Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Picaud

A convent existed here already mid 10th century. Abbots are known since 1060. During the age of the pilgrimage, the abbey offered a safe place to the many "pelerins", in a dangerous area. The pilgrims have to cross the Pau- and Oloron-river here and in 1139 Aymeric Picaud, author the Codex Calixtinus advices the readers, to mistrust the treacherous, local ferrymen. The first toll bridge was built in 1289. These were the prosperous years of the abbey. During the War of Religions the abbey got looted and severely damaged by the troops of Gabriel de Lorges, comte de Montgomery. The Mauristes tried to revitalize monastic life, but the French Revolution ended all that. In the 19th century the church got (a bit over-) restaurated and rebuilt. During the works Roman foundations were found. The church was built, where a Roman villa had been before, what explains the slight asymmetry. In 1869, during the restaurations large mosaics were discovered in the apse. They date back to the 11th/12th century, when very experienced specialists worked here. In Lescar (70 kms upstream) and in Saint Sever (70 kms north east) are very similar works of mosaic art. Here are the last seconds of the hare´s life. See the previous upload for a "total".

A convent existed here already mid 10th century. Abbots are known since 1060. During the age of the pilgrimage, the abbey offered a safe place to the many "pelerins", in a dangerous area. The pilgrims have to cross the Pau- and Oloron-river here and in 1139 Aymeric Picaud, author the Codex Calixtinus advices the readers, to mistrust the treacherous, local ferrymen. The first toll bridge was built in 1289. These were the prosperous years of the abbey. During the War of Religions the abbey got looted and severely damaged by the troops of Gabriel de Lorges, comte de Montgomery. The Mauristes tried to revitalize monastic life, but the French Revolution ended all that. In the 19th century the church got (a bit over-) restaurated and rebuilt. During the works Roman foundations were found. The church was built, where a Roman villa had been before, what explains the slight asymmetry. In 1869, during the restaurations large mosaics were discovered in the apse. They date back to the 11th/12th century, when very experienced specialists worked here. In Lescar (70 kms upstream) and in Saint Sever (70 kms north east) are very similar works of mosaic art.

Torres del Rio was known already to Aymeric Picaud, author the Codex Calixtinus. He warned his readers of the treacherous river Linares "near Torres in Navarre". Not only humans, even horses would have died, after having drunk water from that river. Around 1100 monks from Santa Maria la Real de Irache (25kms east) built a convent here to support the pilgrims. I had come to visit the octogonal Iglesia del Santo Sepulcro, seen here in the center. Iglesia del Santo Sepulcro was probably built between 1190 and 1220. It is not known, who commissioned this building, inspired probably by the "Church of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem". Just like like Eunate (50 kms east), these octogonal churches are often connected to the Knights Templar, but there is no proof about that. This church is known for the incredible, awsome vaulting. There may even be parallels to the Mezquita of Cordoba, but - I could not see it. The church was locked! I had missed the opening hours by just a few minutes!

Torres del Rio was known already to Aymeric Picaud, author the Codex Calixtinus. He warned his readers of the treacherous river Linares "near Torres in Navarre". Not only humans, even horses would have died, after having drunk water from that river. Around 1100 monks from Santa Maria la Real de Irache (25kms east) built a convent here to support the pilgrims. I had come to visit the octogonal Iglesia del Santo Sepulcro, seen here in the center.