Romanesque Architecture
The abbey’s design features thick stone walls, rounded arches, barrel vaults, and massive piers typical of Romanesque style. The building was constructed to convey a sense of solidity and spiritual grandeur.
One of its most remarkable features is the sculpted tympanum (arched doorway relief) over the main entrance, which vividly depicts the Last Judgment. Created by a master sculptor, this dramatic tableau served as a powerful reminder to pilgrims of the eternal consequences of their earthly lives.
The abbey also includes intricate capitals carved with biblical scenes, mythological creatures, and symbolic motifs, reflecting the medieval fusion of religious teaching and artistic expression.
The Crypt and the Relics
Beneath the abbey lies an extensive crypt, considered one of the largest in France. It was built to house the relics of Mary Magdalene and accommodate the many pilgrims who came to venerate them.
The crypt’s labyrinthine passageways and chapels create a mysterious and awe-inspiring atmosphere, designed to inspire spiritual contemplation and reverence. shutdown123