Haute-Garonne Sainte-Marie cathedral A brief history... Founded by Pompey in 72 BC, Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges was first called Lugdunum Convenarum. Under the walls of its cathedral lie over 2000 years of history. This vast and prosperous ancient town, many vestiges of which may be seen even today, hosted an ancient Christian community and church around 250AD. Besieged and laid waste in 507 by the Visigoths, the city was given new life five centuries later by a young and dynamic bishop called Bertrand, from l'Isle-Jourdain. Canonized around 1218, Bertrand encouraged exchange and peace throughout his lifetime, leaving behind on his death an active episcopal city based around a new Romanesque cathedral but overflowing its ramparts. In 1307, a new bishop -Bertrand de Got- asked for the Romanesque building to be destroyed and replaced by the current Gothic cathedral to foster pilgrimages.

Evangelists' pillar in the Romanesque cloister of Saint Bertrand de Comminges

Romanesque treasures The chancel and part of the immense nave of Saint-Bertrand's Romanesque cathedral were destroyed. Only the tympanum over the tower door and the western bay of the suspended cloister remain. Opening on to a rolling countryside of woodland and fields, this is the only Romanesque cloister in the Comminges. Its most famous feature is the Evangelists' pillar, sculpted in a Romanesque column and showing the four saints back to back.

The sculpted capitals of this bay show Adam and Eve, Cain throwing the stone at his brother Abel and Abraham's sacrifice, along with winged dragons threatening a woman, the calendar of seasons and themes from the zodiac, harnessed horses with their drivers… The atmosphere thus created was supposed to encourage prayer and meditation amongst canons sometimes a good way from true Christian humility…

		Saint-Just-de-Valcabrère basilica A brief history... Isolated in the middle of fields and surrounded by cypress trees, the severe lines of its square tower softened by the hills of the Comminges, there is a touch of Tuscany about the splendid basilica of Saint-Just-de-Valcabrère with its tiled roof. Located below the fortress cathedral of Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges, the basilica stands on what was probably the necropolis of the Roman city then an ancient Christian cemetery. The proof lies in the numerous tombstones (masks and sarcophagi) reused in its construction. Yet the history of this building is not known with any great accuracy. One thing is certain: the date of the consecration of the altar -1200- recorded on a sealed parchment. It indicates that the basilica was dedicated to saints Just, Pasteur, Stephen and Helen.

Romanesque treasures Saint-Just is based on a three-nave plan of astonishing size: 29 m long, 14 m across and 12.6 metres under the vaults ! Four statues around the entrance represent the saints to whom it is dedicated and their martyrdom (beheading, stoning…). The tympanum above them bears the imprint of Toulouse sculpture of the XIth century, and especially the work carried out for the Saint-Sernin basilica in Toulouse. It is decorated with Christ bestowing blessings from His throne, separated from Earth by an aura of glory. At his sides are the four Evangelists, each holding their respective symbol: Matthew an angel, Mark a lion, Luke a bullock and John an eagle.

Saint-Just-de-Valcabrère and Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges

The inside of the basilica is just as restrained as its outside. The central apse, with its 1/4 spherical dome, hosts the tomb of saints Just and Pasteur. Behind the altar, a narrow passageway allowed pilgrims to come and pray under the sarcophagus... and the direct protection of the two saints.

		Reception Les Olivetains Comité départemental du Tourisme Parvis de la cathédrale 31510 Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges Phone: 05 6195 44 44 Fax: 05 61 95 44 95 Website: www.cdt-haute-garonne.fr	Visiting times April, May, June, Sept., Oct. and up to 15th Nov. : daily from 10am-6pm. July & August: daily from 10am-7pm. From 16th Nov. to 15th Dec. and from 15th Feb. to 30th March: daily from 10am-5pm.

Special features: Guided tours and trips for individuals and groups from 2 hours to 2 days (including a tour of Mauvezin castle and gastronomic meals), exhibitions and a cultural bookshop. In the summer, the Festival du Comminges is based around the cathedral's organ. Evening visits (no guides) from 8.45 to 10pm every Friday in summer. Prelude played on the XVIth century organ before the Sunday service at Sainte-Marie cathedral (10.45am). Access: Leave the A64 at exit 17, Montréjeau, then take the D33 to Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges