In the South-West of France, close to Montauban, Moissac calls to everyone’s mind the remarkable velvety Chasselas grapes that ripen on the slopes overhanging the town. From these gently rolling hills bristling with vines, the eye delights in the old monastic city that is so provincial and we are rather astonished to see the shadow of a fortified belfry stretching over this peaceful scene.

We would love to see this abbey of the Benedictine monks, now a simple parish, lost in the countryside and, as it were protected from the world. Such was probably the case at its beginning in the VIIth century. Destructions and restorations alternated there throughout the years. Nothing is more touching than this determination to bind up the wounds, to repair, to fortify, to embellish and prolong the existence of a building which was doomed to destruction without the vigilant attention which has preserved it forever. In 1047, Moissac was affiliated to the Cluny Order, this was the beginning of its fame. Between 1120 and 1140 a combined belfry and porch were added to the façade. The first storey of the tower with its curious arch was erected in in the middle of the XIIth century. At that period the lay-out and the structure of the church were altered, the nave was rebuilt and roofed in with cupolas, the porch and tower were fortified and the sculptured portal was shifted and carried over to the South

side. In the XIVth century, the church suffered from the Hundred Years’ War. It was once again rebuilt – it is now the present edifice – by incorporating elements of the preceding buildings into it. In short, once past the belfry-porch, the most ancient part of the church, we visit a XVth century monument with many traces of the XIIth century.

The abbey of Saint-Pierre, Moissac, France.

Image source: http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Datei:Moissac_4.jpg&filetimestamp=20070625095205

On the North side of the church, the cloister unrolls its four identical arcades. A great desire to charm the eye can be found in the contours of the stonework, in the variety of iconographic themes as well as in the contrasts between the shadow and sunlight. This art, overflowing with magic, the friend of a fabulous flora and fauna, does not disdain to express the life of its day despite appearances.

In the cloister of Moissac Abbey.

Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Moissac_6.jpg

It is of the South Portal that we think when art-lovers mention Moissac. It is one of the masterpieces of Romanesque sculpture and quite singularly, it is the pride of early Languedocian sculpture. The church has a single nave with seven bays, it is edged with chapels and ends in a heptagonal apse. One section is made of stone, and is Romanesque, the other, made of brick is Gothic. It was built between 1431 and 1455. We shall stop before some chapels and important monuments. To the right, the Chapel of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows. Here, we can see a « Compassion » dated 1476 which is quite extraordinary for a work of the XVth century.Then a moving work of art: Joseph of Arimathae and Nicodemus, depositing Christ in the Holy Sepulchre. Beside the organ-chest bearing the arms of Mazarin, the donor, we notice a crucifix which may be of Spanish origin.

Throughout the centuries how many eyes have gladly lingered on these beautiful and venerable stones. We who pass are seized with an envy to live, not for pleasure, not even for thought, but simply like peasants and monks and to lead a life that draws those who give themselves up to it towards an invisible and real world.

Moissac and the Tarn River.

Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moissac_and_Tarn_river.jpg

The Canal-bridge of Moissac.

Image source:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TarnMoissacPontCanal.jpg

Another view of the cloister at Moissac.

Image source: http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Datei:Moissac_1.jpg&filetimestamp=20070625094743

Capitals in the cloister.

Image source: http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Datei:Moissac_8.jpg&filetimestamp=20070625101611

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