Mont Saint Michel is certainly looking like a kingdom in a Disney movie. This magnificent heritage carries a rich history of more than a thousand years. Mont Saint Michel, Normandy has been used as a monastery, fortress, prison, and town over those years. This building complex is built in gothic architecture with magnificent towers, windows, and arches. This amazing building has constructed on a tidal island. Due to that the rock bottom of the island completely floods during the high tide. You can walk on the sand around the island when it is low tide. The rich history it holds and the beauty it owns has facilitated the landmark to secure the nickname “The wonder of the west”.
So, who put up this exotic building on a lonely island? Who’s idea was that? why did they construct such a massive superstructure in Normandy?
Saint Aubire’s dream
Actually, All of this amazing structure started with a dream. And that dream dates back to the year 708. One night the bishop of Avaranch, archangel Michel appeared in one of Saint Aubire’s dreams. In the dream, he commanded Saint Aubire to construct an abbey on this island. Moreover, he asked him to name the abbey after him. Saint Aubire ignored the dream as it was just a dream. But the same dream re-emerged the following night. And the dream kept recurring for several nights. But Saint Aubire stayed unconvinced for many reasons. The main dilemma was the enormous work it consumes to build such a building on an island.
However, at last, he was left with no option but to obey after dreaming archangel Michel pressing a finger into his head. Because that morning he woke up with a burnt hole on his head. The most fascinating part of this story is that Saint Aubire’s skull is still exhibited in Saint Gervais Basilica in France. There you can see the burnt hole on Saint Aubire’s skull.
St. Aubire’s Skull with the burnt hole
The legend of Saint Michele defeating the Devil
There is another legend that has been knitted around this beautiful island. That is the story of Saint Michele defeating Satan. Saint Michele constructed this building surrounded by quicksand in order to be safe from Satan. Satan was the owner of the lands, he grew the finest crops and produced food. Saint Michele was tired due to the poverty he was experiencing. So, he made up an agreement with Satan. St. Michele stated that he would work on growing crops on Satan’s lands. And they can equally divide the harvest among each other. Satan approved St. Michele’s deal and permitted him to grow crops on his lands.
After that St. Michele asked Satan whether he wants the things that grow above the land or below the land. Satan requested for all the things which grow above the land. That year all crops which were grown were carrots, onions, and parsnips. Satan was furious with St. Michele. Then St. Michele said Satan to take everything that grow underground in the following year. And the following year St. Michele grew cabbage, artichokes, golden wheat, and oats. The devil was livid and broke the deal with St. Michele. He took back all the lands he gave.
A meal for the devil
Then St. Michele stayed for a year watching the devil taking all the harvest of the crops that he grew. He wanted to take revenge and invited the devil to a feast. The delicious food and fine liquor pleased him so much. He eat and drank so much and became nauseous. St. Michele took that instance to kick the devil out of the island. Because he kicked him so hard he landed on the town of. The traces of the claws can be seen on a rock in Mortain to this date.
That is the legend of how St. Michele defeated the Devil.
Duke’s Donation
When saint Michele asked Saint Aubire to build an abbey he constructed it on this island. But it wasn’t as magnificent and glorious as it is today. The Dukes of Normandy funded the construction of this wonderous building throughout the years. with the courtesy of the duke of Normandy, the little church was expanded into a massive monastery. Many Monks of the Benedictine order used to dwell here.
In the war which rendered throughout 100 years from 1337 C.E. to 1453 C.E this abbey was attacked repeatedly by the British. But they were never able to conquer the Mont-Saint Michel, Normandy. This is the only part of France which wasn’t captured by the British. Still, there is a canon left behind by the English at the front gate of the Mont-Saint Michel. As centuries passed by monks came here to pray and contemplate. But after falling into disrepair this fascinating abbey was abandoned.
Mont-Saint Michel, Normandy, and the Duke of Normandy
Once used as a prison
In the era of King Louis the 11th this exquisite site was used as a prison. He used these buildings to lock up priests and anyone who disputed the French’s first republic, behind the bars. Once there were 300 priests in the prison. At this time this abbey was called the “bastille of the sea”. This remained a prison for more than a century until all the prisoners were moved to another location. During the French revolution, Mont-Saint Michel was shut down and left abandoned for many years.
After a long time, people started to speak up about the Mont-Saint Michel’s closure. The great French author Victor Hugo took a prominent place among those people. In 1992 Priests came back to the abbey in Normandy and it became a pilgrimage sight once again.
Kingdom on the big screen
If you feel like you have seen this grandiose complex of buildings somewhere before it is not just a Deja Vu. This abbey has been the inspiration for many kingdoms that appear on the big screen. The capital of the Ministerith in the Lord of the rings movie has similar features to this monastery. The kingdom of corona which is featured in the Disney movie tangled also reminds a resemblance of Mont-Saint Michel. Furthermore, this Kingdom has detailed in many video games. For an instance, in the assassin’s creed brotherhood, kingdom of hearts, 3d dream drop distance there are kingdoms similar to this abbey. Moreover, the tower of mastery in Pokémon x and y shows similar features to Mont-Saint Michel.
The capital of the Ministerith in the Lord of the rings, the kingdom of corona in tangled, the tower of mastery in Pokémon x and y
The second most visited pilgrimage site.
Over the years Mont-Saint Michel became famous among pilgrims. The magnificent building, gorgeous architecture, and the mysterious history the building holds, have turned this place into the second most visited pilgrimage site. Years back pilgrims had to take a walk through the sandy shore to reach Mont-Saint Michel. But now the French government has built a bridge in order to assist tourists to reach the abbey easily. You can either walk or take a bus in order to arrive at the abbey through the bridge.
But still, there are people who take the dangerous walk through the sands to come to Mont-Saint Michel. They should be assisted by a certified guide when taken that way.
Is Mont san Michele Sinking?
The answer is yes. This amazing landmark is slowly sinking into the sands in Normandy. If nothing is done, the monastery and the attractive lanes of its medieval village may lose their status as an island within 40 years. The advancement of the silt and salt marshes, as well as the weed-like growth of car and coach parks over what was once the sea bed, have already sapped some of the majesties. Engineers were always left with the question of how to wash off million cubic meters of silt.
Mont-Saint Michel, Normandy.
Returning to nature is the answer. Over the next 20 years, work will begin to restore and strengthen the natural power of a man-made river, the Couesnon, which will wash the sand and silt banks out of the bay. This solution may sound mild. But the project is massive yet mild and expensive.
So, what do you think of this wondrous creation? I think this medieval construction is a must-see place. Have you ever visited this enchanting heritage sight? Tell me in the comment section.
