Blue439
New member
The fortified priory of Pommiers (2021)
During the late 800s, in 878 or maybe 891, Benedictine monks came from the abbey of Nantua (eastern France, near Switzerland) to found a new abbey in this place. The name Pommiers, meaning “apple trees”, suggests that there was a Roman villa with orchards nearby, and indeed remains from Roman times were found by archæologists around the hilltop. An abbey church was built, dedicated to Saint Julian. Little of it remains today, as it has for a long time been converted into a private home.
Then, in 960, the monastery of Pommiers was aggregated into the possessions of Cluny, the most powerful abbey that ever was, and became one of its many priories. A new church was built during the 1000s: you can see its back and bell tower protruding from behind other buildings. The priory and the surrounding village were seriously fortified during the Hundred Years War (roughly 1350–1450), as you can still see.
There was also a river that ran at the foot of the hill, and over which this lovely and very old Mediæval bridge was built. Over the centuries, the river bed has moved a couple hundred meters to the left, outside of my frame.
Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 50mm, ƒ/1.8 S lens, handheld.
During the late 800s, in 878 or maybe 891, Benedictine monks came from the abbey of Nantua (eastern France, near Switzerland) to found a new abbey in this place. The name Pommiers, meaning “apple trees”, suggests that there was a Roman villa with orchards nearby, and indeed remains from Roman times were found by archæologists around the hilltop. An abbey church was built, dedicated to Saint Julian. Little of it remains today, as it has for a long time been converted into a private home.
Then, in 960, the monastery of Pommiers was aggregated into the possessions of Cluny, the most powerful abbey that ever was, and became one of its many priories. A new church was built during the 1000s: you can see its back and bell tower protruding from behind other buildings. The priory and the surrounding village were seriously fortified during the Hundred Years War (roughly 1350–1450), as you can still see.
There was also a river that ran at the foot of the hill, and over which this lovely and very old Mediæval bridge was built. Over the centuries, the river bed has moved a couple hundred meters to the left, outside of my frame.
Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 50mm, ƒ/1.8 S lens, handheld.
