Maguelone Cathedral

Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, France

Maguelone Cathedral stands on an isthmus between the Étang de l'Arnel lake and the Mediterranean Sea in the Gulf of Lion, which was once the site of the original city of Maguelone, opposite the present-day town of Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone.

Maguelone Cathedral was once the episcopal seat of the former Bishop of Maguelone until 1563, when the see was transferred to the newly created Bishopric of Montpellier. The cathedral, constructed when the see was returned here in the 11th century from Substantion by Bishop Arnaud (1030-1060), is a Romanesque fortified building. Although parts, such as the towers, have been demolished, the main body of the building remains functional and is a registered national monument.

References:

Wikipedia

Address

Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, France

See all sites in Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone

Details

Founded: 1030-1060
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

emmanuel charron (2 years ago)
Almost impossible to get there and leave. You feel very stranded. No information on anything. Very disappointing.

Jill Thorne (2 years ago)
A really nice place to cycle or walk to if in the area to look around. We didn't go inside, but outside a little tatty. The peacocks were nice to see.

Ahaeli C (2 years ago)
A beautiful place with lovely antique architecture, kept it in impeccable condition. There is a little train (which was free when we went) from the parking all the way to the beach making stops at the cathedral. The albino peacocks and peahens, which inhabit the estate all year, are lovely and their calls gives the place a very unique atmosphere. If you come at the right season, you may even see flocks of flamingos in the backwater.

Richard O'Shea (3 years ago)
Magnificent place to visit. Well worth a motorway stop

Bert Provan (4 years ago)
Café, restful, easy to walk to and far from traffic

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright stahli36

Historic Site of the week

Celje Castle

Celje Castle was once the largest fortification on Slovenian territory. The first fortified building on the site (a Romanesque palace) was built in the first half of the 13th century by the Counts of Heunburg from Carinthia on the stony outcrop on the western side of the ridge where the castle stands. It had five sides, or four plus the southern side, which was a natural defence. The first written records of the castle date back to between 1125 and 1137; it was probably built by Count Gunter. In the western section of the castle, there was a building with several floors. Remains of the walls of this palatium have survived. In the eastern section, there was an enclosed courtyard with large water reservoirs. The eastern wall, which protects the castle from its most exposed side, was around three metres thicker than the rest of the curtain wall. The wall was topped with a parapet and protected walkway.