About
Moissac
Moissac
is a busy town in
the Tarn et Garonne department, and is a major site on the Pilgrim Way
of Saint James, to Santiago de Compostella. It is famous world-wide
for the artistic heritage. The foundations of St Martins Church are
amongst the oldest in France, possibly the 3rd century. From legend,
the ancient Saint-Peter's abbey was founded by Clovis (the Frankish
king), but from historical information it was founded by Saint Didier,
bishop of Cahors in the middle of the seventh century. The eleventh and
twelfth centuries witnessed a first golden age, and Moissac was
affiliated to the Burgundy abbey of Cluny under the drive of Durand de
Bredons who was both the Abbot of Moissac and the bishop of Toulouse.
During this period the doorway and tympanum were built.
The cloister has 116 columns, 76 of which have been sculpted to tell biblical stories. The tympanum is inspired by the Book of Revelations. The fifteenth century witnessed a new golden age with further work to the abbey. The 1626 secularization of the abbey caused the Benedictine monks to leave the cloister after nearly 1000 years of Benedictine life, and in 1790, the French Revolution put an end to religious life.
The cloister has 116 columns, 76 of which have been sculpted to tell biblical stories. The tympanum is inspired by the Book of Revelations. The fifteenth century witnessed a new golden age with further work to the abbey. The 1626 secularization of the abbey caused the Benedictine monks to leave the cloister after nearly 1000 years of Benedictine life, and in 1790, the French Revolution put an end to religious life.
In the middle of the
nineteenth century, the laying of a railway-track threatened the
cloister but at the last minute it was saved and became listed as a
historic monument. Even though some buildings have suffered a lot and
the abbey has changed, the tympanum, abbey, and cloister (renowned
amongst the greatest and the most beautiful cloisters in the world) can
still be admired.
In 1930 severe floods
destroyed entire sections of the town, and the ensuing reconstruction
greatly altered the towns appearance – the art deco style from this
period can be seen amidst the more ancient red brick buildings.