Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Gabriel de Lorges

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.

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. A few of the Romanesque capitals have survived. They got restored, repaired and repainted. Sometimes they now seem "too perfect". Here is Jesus' capture Mark 14:48-50 "Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me" Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." Then everyone deserted him and fled."

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 (forrunner of all Lonely Planet volumes), 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. Most of the wooden sculptural decoration is comparably young, like this "Virgin and Child"

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 (forrunner of all Lonely Planet volumes), 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.

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 (forrunner of all Lonely Planet volumes), 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. What Gabriel de Lorges, remembered for mortally injuring Henry II of France in a jousting accident, and the Protestant troops did not ruin of the portal weathered away over the centuries.

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 (forrunner of all Lonely Planet volumes), 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. Seen here (under the little roof) the portal of the former abbey church.