Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Montmajour

Silvacane Abbey, founded in 1144 as a "filia" of Morimond Abbey (Haute Marne) is one of the three Cistercian abbeys in Provence known as the "three sisters of Provence" ("les trois soeurs provençales"). The sisters are Sénanque, Le Thoronet and Silvacane. The abbey was founded on swampy grounds near to the Durance (cane=reed). With the support of the regional nobility the abbey prospered. The wealth of the Cistercians provoked the envy of the Benedictines of Montmajour Abbey, who attacked Silvacane in 1289 and took the Cistercians hostage for a while. The abbey got looted by mercenaries in 1358 and in 1443 the monks had to abandon Silvacane. The buildings became the property of the chapter of Aix Cathedral. The church was turned into the parish church of La Roque-d’Anthéron. Over the next centuries, the buildings fell into disrepair, as they were used as a quarry. Finally the premises were auctioned off during the French Revolution and were used as a farm. In 1846 the church was bought by the French government and declared an historical monument. The other buildings were still used as a farm until 1949. Meanwhile the complex is well restored and shows the sober Cistercian architecture of the 12th century. The cloister of the abbey.

Silvacane Abbey, founded in 1144 as a "filia" of Morimond Abbey (Haute Marne) is one of the three Cistercian abbeys in Provence known as the "three sisters of Provence" ("les trois soeurs provençales"). The sisters are Sénanque, Le Thoronet and Silvacane. The abbey was founded on swampy grounds near to the Durance (cane=reed). With the support of the regional nobility the abbey prospered. The wealth of the Cistercians provoked the envy of the Benedictines of Montmajour Abbey, who attacked Silvacane in 1289 and took the Cistercians hostage for a while. The abbey got looted by mercenaries in 1358 and in 1443 the monks had to abandon Silvacane. The buildings became the property of the chapter of Aix Cathedral. The church was turned into the parish church of La Roque-d’Anthéron. Over the next centuries, the buildings fell into disrepair, as they were used as a quarry. Finally the premises were auctioned off during the French Revolution and were used as a farm. In 1846 the church was bought by the French government and declared an historical monument. The other buildings were still used as a farm until 1949. Meanwhile the complex is well restored and shows the sober Cistercian architecture of the 12th century. One of the two pillars in the chapterhouse, where the monks met every early morning to listen to one of the 73 chapters of the Cisternian order.

Silvacane Abbey, founded in 1144 as a "filia" of Morimond Abbey (Haute Marne) is one of the three Cistercian abbeys in Provence known as the "three sisters of Provence" ("les trois soeurs provençales"). The sisters are Sénanque, Le Thoronet and Silvacane. The abbey was founded on swampy grounds near to the Durance (cane=reed). With the support of the regional nobility the abbey prospered. The wealth of the Cistercians provoked the envy of the Benedictines of Montmajour Abbey, who attacked Silvacane in 1289 and took the Cistercians hostage for a while. The abbey got looted by mercenaries in 1358 and in 1443 the monks had to abandon Silvacane. The buildings became the property of the chapter of Aix Cathedral. The church was turned into the parish church of La Roque-d’Anthéron. Over the next centuries, the buildings fell into disrepair, as they were used as a quarry. Finally the premises were auctioned off during the French Revolution and were used as a farm. In 1846 the church was bought by the French government and declared an historical monument. The other buildings were still used as a farm until 1949. Meanwhile the complex is well restored and shows the sober Cistercian architecture of the 12th century. The chapterhouse, where the monks met every early morning to listen to one of the 73 chapters of the Cisternian order, was built in the 13th century.

Silvacane Abbey, founded in 1144 as a "filia" of Morimond Abbey (Haute Marne) is one of the three Cistercian abbeys in Provence known as the "three sisters of Provence" ("les trois soeurs provençales"). The sisters are Sénanque, Le Thoronet and Silvacane. The abbey was founded on swampy grounds near to the Durance (cane=reed). With the support of the regional nobility the abbey prospered. The wealth of the Cistercians provoked the envy of the Benedictines of Montmajour Abbey, who attacked Silvacane in 1289 and took the Cistercians hostage for a while. The abbey got looted by mercenaries in 1358 and in 1443 the monks had to abandon Silvacane. The buildings became the property of the chapter of Aix Cathedral. The church was turned into the parish church of La Roque-d’Anthéron. Over the next centuries, the buildings fell into disrepair, as they were used as a quarry. Finally the premises were auctioned off during the French Revolution and were used as a farm. In 1846 the church was bought by the French government and declared an historical monument. The other buildings were still used as a farm until 1949. Meanwhile the complex is well restored and shows the sober Cistercian architecture of the 12th century. The dormitorium of the abbey seems rather large, as even during the prosperous times not more than maybe 20 monks. One stair connected the dormitorium directly to the transept of the church, the stairs seen in here lead down to the cloister.

Silvacane Abbey, founded in 1144 as a "filia" of Morimond Abbey (Haute Marne) is one of the three Cistercian abbeys in Provence known as the "three sisters of Provence" ("les trois soeurs provençales"). The sisters are Sénanque, Le Thoronet and Silvacane. The abbey was founded on swampy grounds near to the Durance (cane=reed). With the support of the regional nobility the abbey prospered. The wealth of the Cistercians provoked the envy of the Benedictines of Montmajour Abbey, who attacked Silvacane in 1289 and took the Cistercians hostage for a while. The abbey got looted by mercenaries in 1358 and in 1443 the monks had to abandon Silvacane. The buildings became the property of the chapter of Aix Cathedral. The church was turned into the parish church of La Roque-d’Anthéron. Over the next centuries, the buildings fell into disrepair, as they were used as a quarry. Finally the premises were auctioned off during the French Revolution and were used as a farm. In 1846 the church was bought by the French government and declared an historical monument. The other buildings were still used as a farm until 1949. Meanwhile the complex is well restored and shows the sober Cistercian architecture of the 12th century. The austere nave of the former abbey church has no furniture since the restauration of the 1990s.

Silvacane Abbey, founded in 1144 as a "filia" of Morimond Abbey (Haute Marne) is one of the three Cistercian abbeys in Provence known as the "three sisters of Provence" ("les trois soeurs provençales"). The sisters are Sénanque, Le Thoronet and Silvacane. The abbey was founded on swampy grounds near to the Durance (cane=reed). With the support of the regional nobility the abbey prospered. The wealth of the Cistercians provoked the envy of the Benedictines of Montmajour Abbey, who attacked Silvacane in 1289 and took the Cistercians hostage for a while. The abbey got looted by mercenaries in 1358 and in 1443 the monks had to abandon Silvacane. The buildings became the property of the chapter of Aix Cathedral. The church was turned into the parish church of La Roque-d’Anthéron. Over the next centuries, the buildings fell into disrepair, as they were used as a quarry. Finally the premises were auctioned off during the French Revolution and were used as a farm. In 1846 the church was bought by the French government and declared an historical monument. The other buildings were still used as a farm until 1949. Meanwhile the complex is well restored and shows the sober Cistercian architecture of the 12th century. Seen here is the western facade of the church, the left transept and the small crossing tower.

The "Chapel of the Holy Cross" was the place, where the valuable "True Cross" relic was shown. Only about 300m east of the Abbey, the chapel was as well a center of a graveyard. Still today many carved graves are to be seen. It is built on the layout of a cross with four apses and a narthex. A pretty complex and unusual design - and still the chapel seems very much intact. Unfortunately the gate at the entrance to the ground was locked. So that I could not even could come near to the chapel, not talking about having a look inside the building..

The "Abbaye de Montmajour" was a really important abbey in medieval times. Founded around 1000 on an island like hill surrounded by swamps and marshes just outside of Arles. Already since 1030 pilgrims walked to Montmajour to see a part of the "True Cross" and so obtaining the "Pardon de Montmajour". The abbey was secularized already in 1786 (by Louis XVI), after the revolution it was sold to different owners. Today it is a massive ruin, used as a quarry over decades in the 19th century. Many stones were used to build the channels in Arles. Over long periods the abbey was an empty complex of crumbling buildings. So traces of vandalism are widely spread. But maybe the many graffitis are not pure vandalism. There are about 70 different ships carved into the western wall of the cloister. "Fragile" galleys, shown with sails and rudders. This type of ships was used from antique times to the 17th century. They may have carved into the walls, when during the Hundred Years’ War or Religious Wars there were times, when no monks lived here. I found sources dating them back into the 13th century. It is believed, that these graffitis were carved in by sailors here, to ensure a special blessing for the ships. By the way, a graffiti of a more modern (steam!) ship is to be seen on the nearby Alyscamps in Arles: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/4995573939/

The "Abbaye de Montmajour" was a really important abbey in medieval times. Founded around 1000 on an island like hill surrounded by swamps and marshes just outside of Arles. Already since 1030 pilgrims walked to Montmajour to see a part of the "True Cross" and so obtaining the "Pardon de Montmajour". The abbey was secularized already in 1786 (by Louis XVI), after the revolution it was sold to different owners. Today it is a massive ruin, used as a quarry over decades in the 19th century. Many stones were used to build the channels in Arles. Over long periods the abbey was an empty complex of crumbling buildings. So traces of vandalism are widely spread. But maybe the many graffitis are not pure vandalism. There are about 70 different ships carved into the western wall of the cloister. "Fragile" galleys, shown with sails and rudders. This type of ships was used from antique times to the 17th century. They may have carved into the walls, when during the Hundred Years’ War or Religious Wars there were times, when no monks lived here.I found sources dating them back even into the 13th century. It is believed, that these graffitis were carved in by sailors here, to ensure a special blessing for the ships. By the way, a graffiti of a way more modern steam ship is to be seen on the nearby Alyscamps in Arles: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/4995573939/

The "Abbaye de Montmajour" was a really important abbey in medieval times. Founded around 1000 on an island like hill surrounded by swamps and marshes just outside of Arles. Already since 1030 pilgrims walked to Montmajour to see a part of the "True Cross" and so obtaining the "Pardon de Montmajour". The abbey was secularized already in 1786 (by Louis XVI), after the revolution it was sold to different owners. Today it is a massive ruin, used as a quarry over decades in the 19th century. Many stones were used to build the channels in Arles. Over long periods the abbey was an empty complex of crumbling buildings. So traces of vandalism are widely spread. Here a carved capital from a corner of the cloister, showing two dromedaries. The arabian camels have both lost a leg and the heads over the centuries.

The "Abbaye de Montmajour" was a really important abbey during medieval times. Founded around 1000 on an island like hill surrounded by swamps and marshes just outside of Arles. Already since 1030 pilgrims walked to Montmajour to see a part of the "True Cross" and so obtaining the "Pardon de Montmajour". The abbey was secularized already in 1786 (by Louis XVI), after the revolution it was sold to different owners. Today it is a massive ruin, used as a quarry over decades in the 19th century. Many stones were used to build the channels in Arles. Over long periods the abbey was an empty complex of crumbling buildings. So traces of vandalism are widely spread. Here a carved capital from the cloister. A man running very fast (see the legs!) through a jungle-like forest. For me he looks like an athletic runner in a relay-race. In the hand left to the head there is the baton. Yes, that is an "overinterpretation".

The "Abbaye de Montmajour" was a really important abbey in medieval times. Founded around 1000 on an island like hill surrounded by swamps and marshes just outside of Arles. Already since 1030 pilgrims walked to Montmajour to see a part of the "True Cross" and so obtaining the "Pardon de Montmajour". The abbey was secularized already in 1786 (by Louis XVI), after the revolution it was sold to different owners. Today it is a massive ruin, used as a quarry over decades in the 19th century. Many stones were used to build the channels in Arles. Below the church of the abbey lies the very large and high crypt.

The "Abbaye de Montmajour" was a really important abbey in medieval times. Founded around 1000 on an island like hill surrounded by swamps and marshes just outside of Arles. Already since 1030 pilgrims walked to Montmajour to see a part of the "True Cross" and so obtaining the "Pardon de Montmajour". The abbey was secularized already in 1786 (by Louis XVI), after the revolution it was sold to different owners. Today it is a massive ruin, used as a quarry over decades in the 19th century. Many stones were used to build the channels in Arles. Below the church of the abbey lies the very large and high crypt.

Arles - seen from the top of the Abbaye de Montmajour.