Cathedrals and Cloisters of the South of France, Volume 1

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22718

Title

Cathedrals and Cloisters of the South of France, Volume 1

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Elise Whitlock Rose offers a vivid, photographic tour of the South of France's cathedrals and cloisters. This volume captures the region's unique architectural dignity, blending Romanesque simplicity with Gothic grandeur against a backdrop of rich history and unspoiled landscapes.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Cathedrals and Cloisters of the South of France, Volume 1*, Elise Whitlock Rose invites readers to discover the 'real, unspoiled France' of the Mediterranean provinces. Distinct from technical treatises, the book treats cathedrals not merely as architectural examples but as living entities with distinct personalities. Rose travels through Provence, Languedoc, and Gascony, documenting sites ranging from the sea-side towns of Marseilles and Nice to the hill-towns of Digne and the river-side cities of Avignon and Arles. Her narrative highlights the architectural evolution from the heavy, antique simplicity of Romanesque structures, such as Notre-Dame of Vaison, to the soaring, severe Gothic naves of Saint-Trophime in Arles. Rose critiques later restorations that marred original beauty while celebrating the enduring charm of ancient ruins. The text weaves in local legends, historical struggles between faith and heresy, and the daily lives of the people who have guarded these stones for centuries. Through original photographs and precise descriptions, the work serves as both a guide for the leisurely traveler and a testament to the 'struggle between the world, the flesh, and the devil' epitomized in these sacred spaces. Rose emphasizes that these monuments are not just stones but epitomize the psychology of the Christianizing of the barbarian and the Gallo-Roman. She describes the unique atmosphere of forgotten valleys and the specific architectural dignity of sites spared from degenerating restorations. The book aims to suggestively and accurately introduce the Cathedral of the Mediterranean provinces as it exists to-day, offering a glimpse into the interest and fascination that the glorious architecture, history, and unmatched climate of the Southland can awaken.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Religion
• Travel