Inaccessible castle Mont Saint Michel

One of the most popular attractions in France, is the castle of Mont Saint-Michel.
How often do you see a monastery on a rock sticking out of the water depths.
It looks stunning.




City on the island there is a 709 years. Currently it employs 80 people. Since 1879, the island connected to the mainland by a causeway. The island is a granite formation of about 930 m in diameter and a height of 92 meters above sea level. Mont Saint-Michel is known Benedictine Abbey, built in the 11-14 centuries.



At the top of the cliff, at a height of almost 80 meters, rises to the sky walls of the ancient abbey, but at the end of its spire, located at an altitude of 155, 5 meters above sea level, stands the golden figure of the Archangel with a sharpened sword. Mont Saint Michel is protected on all sides by the sea and only a dam length of 2 kilometers long, connects the mainland with the island



Victor Hugo was so much impressed by the Mont Saint-Michel, which called him "Pyramid in the Ocean"
Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel - the most visited area in France after Paris. Due to the territorial jurisdiction of this unique corner of a dispute between two area - Brittany and Normandy.

Nevertheless, it is assumed that the boundary between them is carried out by traveling in the coastal sands of the river Couesnon, indicating not in favor of Brittany. On this occasion, there is even a French saying: 'Couesnon was crazy, so Mont Saint Michel found himself in Normandy ".



Entrance to the castle originates from the Royal Gate. From inland stretches only street - Grande Rue. The tiny, almost toy houses XV-XVI centuries, zhmuschihsya to each other on both sides of the street, in our day and cafes, restaurants, hotels and tents with a variety of souvenirs.



With lock Mont Saint Michel is due a huge number of legends. On one of them, in 708 Archbishop Aubert I came in a dream the archangel Michael. Archangel ordered the bishop to dedicate time is almost completely enclosed by the sea cliff. Aubert has not executed this order, in the fear of becoming a victim of svego imagination. The same vision of the future was repeated many times.

Then the angel did not suffer such disobedience and thrust his finger into his head Aubert. In order to eventually convince the bishop and other Christians, he has created many miracles here. By the way, the legend of the legend, but in the skull Aubert, the researchers actually found a hole) It could be caused by, for example, combat wound or trepanation in the handling of the brain.



Monastery of St. Michael was built a very long time - from the XI to XVI century. It founded by the Vikings, William the Conqueror went away to England, lived here many kings. During the Hundred Years War between England and France Mont Saint-Michel was the last French stronghold in Normandy, was never captured by the enemy ... He has never been conquered, surviving once even a 30-year siege - in the history of it and remained impregnable castle. Conquering a castle tour - today it is visited by more than 3 million visitors each year - more than just a popular Paris and Versailles



The monastery of Mont Saint-Michel has been closed for a long time - even in 1790! A few decades later, ironically then concluded the most dangerous criminals and scoundrels - Castle for half a century has turned into a state prison. Because of this, the people called "Provincial Bastille." Only in 1863, after major restoration, he opened the doors of the Royal again, but for tourists.



By the way, if someone Mont Saint Michel seemed familiar - it's probably due to the fact that the island-castle was a type of fortress of Minas Tirith in the popular movie "Lord of the Rings"











Source: trasyy.livejournal.com

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