Mont Saint-Michel an ancient Abbey on an island in Normandy
- Wanderer
- Oct 6, 2017
- 1 min read
Mont Saint-Michel, is located in Normandy region of France close to Rennes which is in the south and Saint-Malo in the west. The abbey is situated on a small rock island which is visible from every direction. The island is surrounded with walls and towers protecting the abbey in the center. It's on of the most popular attractions in France, the abbey was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
Brief History of Mont Saint-Michel
St. Aubert, bishop of Avranches, built an oratory after having a vision of the archangel St. Michael. Originally, in the 8th century, the island was called Mont-Tombe but became known as Mont Saint-Michel. There after the oratory became a pilgrimage centre which was extend to a Benedictine Abbey in 966. King Phillip II of France tried to capture the mount and was burned partly in 1203. He compensated the monks by paying for the construction of the monastery known as La Merveille (“The Wonder”).
The abbey became an important centre of education and attracted greatest minds and manuscript illuminators. The abbey church is representing a Romanesque style of 11th- and 12th-century. Whereas the choir in Flamboyant Gothic style which was built during 1450–1521. The tower and spire, crowned by a statue of St. Michael, were added in the 19th century.
df
Comments