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The other three sides of the cloister are covered with sculptures from Catalan sources like the first side but they are a century or slightly more later. One group of them are of the early life of Jesus and I know of only a few this equal to them. Here they are.
Written Feb 4, 2010
The oldest works are on the inner capitals of the North side aisle. The finest old one is of Adam and Eve; another is the creation of Eve. Most of these are creatures like Sirens, or half human and half bird or fanciful animals.
Written Feb 4, 2010
The cloister was built over a two hundred year period starting with the wall along the north wall of the church in the 12C. The last three sides were Gothic but kept the form of the first Romanesque side. On each side are three sets of rounded top pillars with paired capitals separated by rectangular piers and similar ones at the ends of each side. There are scattered sculptures along the outside walls as well and decorated vauitings.
Written Feb 4, 2010
The Nave of the church is rather dark as are most of the older Romanesque ones as well as the aisles and the side altars. At the west end is a font that is a hollow marble structure that was several centuries when the church was built. Also in this area is a 14C cloth Passion rememberance.
Written Feb 3, 2010
Elne Cathedral was built in the 11C and remained a cathedral until the 17C. During the 12-14C it built a splendid Cloister which contains a number of capitals from before the Gothic period on the outer north wall of the church in the first side of the Cloister. The other three sides of the Cloister contain a large number of bas-reliefs showing events of the life of Jesus. The West End of the buiding is topped on the South by a Tower and Belfry, while there is a shorter Tower at the North end. Beyond the East end a couple of miles off is the Sea. The apsidial end has an arch while the west has a plain entrance.
Written Feb 3, 2010
Helpfulness
We were following the Route of the Cathars and visiting Elne and loved it but it was Sunday and when lunch time arrived, we could smell yummy food in every house but no restaurants were open. We hopped in the car and started driving, finally ending in St. Genis des Fontaines. I spotted a small restaurant and the parking lot was packed . . . good sign.
We parked and went in and were glad we found it. It was slightly after the sacred hour of 2:00 PM when lunch is no longer served in France, so we approached with great trepidation. We were immediately seated by the front window and given menus and no mention was made of closing at 2 o'clock. Thank goodness!
Favorite Dish: Here is my journal entry for lunch that day.
"Ed got trout, Jean a steak and I opted for the duck. We had a wonderful plate of charcuterie with tiny sour pickles to start and our main courses were excellent . . . best duck I’ve ever had, and one of our best meals."
Le Barbizon was a find.
Written Apr 2, 2008
Address: 66740 St. Genis des Fontaines
Phone: 04 68 89 88 38
There is a beautiful cathedral in Elne and it's surrounded by flowers and wonderful scenery.
Elne is an ancient city (pop. 6.2 ) whose name is derived from the Empress Helene, wife of Constantine. In such a long ago time, it was an important city. It remained a cathedral until the 17 C. It is...
Build your own Elne page
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