St. Mary's Abbey

Arles-sur-Tech, France

Arles-sur-Tech is best known for its abbey, which allegedly holds the relics of Saints Abdon and Sennen in a sarcophagus called Sainte Tombe, traditionally believed to have been brought from Rome 10th century. Its waters are traditionally believed to hold miraculous healing properties.

The Benedictine abbey of Sainte-Marie was founded in 778 and is the oldest Carolingian abbey in Catalonia. The main square contains the houses which were the first to be built around the abbey. The Abbey Sainte-Marie has a beautiful gothic cloister built in the 13th century and a large and impressive 18th century organ. Its most curious item though is a 4th century sarcophagus which once contained the relics of Saints Abdon and Sennen.

References:

francethisway.com

Address

Place del Convent 14, Arles-sur-Tech, France

See all sites in Arles-sur-Tech

Details

Founded: 778 AD
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Frankish kingdoms (France)

More Information

www.francethisway.com
www.tourisme-pyreneesorientales.com

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Caixa de Rotllan (3,9 km)

Château Royal de Collioure (37,7 km)
Villefranche-de-Conflent Fortress (26,4 km)
St. Mary Magdalene Church (60,7 km)
Elne Cathedral (31,9 km)
Perpignan Cathedral (34,6 km)
Château de Peyrepertuse (46,6 km)
Château de Castelnou (18,9 km)
Palace of the Kings of Majorca (34 km)
Salses Fortress (48,5 km)

User Reviews

DD J (14 months ago)
Ancient monestary

Bob Wells (3 years ago)
Extremely interesting interior, with most interesting 12th Century frescoes. Exterior is less interesting, but still nice.

Claude Cevasco (3 years ago)
Must see ! Beauty

Maggie Curran (4 years ago)
Needs renovations. Musty, decaying. Feels like the Middle Ages.

Philip Bannister (5 years ago)
Not really my thing

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