Mont-Saint-Michel isn’t just a pretty monument. Behind its walls lies a dark and mysterious past. During the French Revolution, it was a prison nicknamed the “Island of Terror.” We’re off to discover this place, which has much more to it than just its beauty.
Origins of Mont-Saint-Michel
It all begins with an old story dating back to 708. Legend has it that the Bishop of Avranches, Saint Aubert, dreamt that the Archangel Michael (Saint Michel) asked him to build a church in his honor on Mont Tombe.
Saint Aubert didn’t take his request seriously, so Saint Michel burned a hole in Saint Aubert’s head using his finger to prove his existence. Finally convinced of divine intervention, Saint Aubert began building the church that would later become Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey.
Over the centuries, Mont-Saint-Michel has become an important pilgrimage site and a symbol of the Christian faith. Its strategic location on a rocky islet also made it an important military fortress.
From Sanctuary to Bastion of Horror
During the French Revolution, Mont-Saint-Michel was converted into a fearsome prison, nicknamed the “Island of Terror.” This transformation marked a dark turning point in the island’s history from religious sanctuary to bastion of horror.
Used as a place of detention for political opponents, criminals, and prisoners of war, the prison was renowned for its unbearable living conditions.
The impenetrable isolation of Mont-Saint-Michel, perched on a rocky islet off the coast of Normandy, made it ideal for holding the most dangerous prisoners.
Shadows from the Past: The Hidden Conditions of the Dungeons
The living conditions within the prison were far from decent!
The abbey was transformed in an attempt to hold hundreds of prisoners at a time; huge dormitories accommodating up to 300 beds were created.
These dormitories served as communal living quarters for the inmates, who often worked long hours, sometimes up to 12 or 14 hours spinning cotton, weaving, making straw hats, and more.
Humidity, the cold, lack of water, overcrowding, famine, brutal guards, and a lack of sleep and cleanliness were commonplace. At the time, Mont-Saint-Michel was in a state of disrepair, with visible ruins everywhere.
Until 1822, the prison housed both men and women, before permanently closing in 1863.
Architecture and Memories of a Forgotten Past
The architecture of Mont-Saint-Michel is a unique blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles, providing a captivating testimony to its historical and spiritual past.
Mont Saint-Michel Abbey, at the heart of the architectural ensemble, is a medieval masterpiece!
In addition to its religious elements, the architecture of Mont Saint-Michel has played a strategic and defensive role over the ages, with its ramparts, towers, and fortifications repeatedly reinforced to withstand the various battles.
This duality gives the Mont a unique atmosphere, where each stone tells the story of its tormented past.
Renaissance of a Historic Monument
After closing its prison gates, Mont-Saint-Michel made a fresh start, with major efforts to restore and preserve this iconic historic islet.
Returned to its original vocation as a place of worship and tourist destination, the island has been renovated to restore its medieval structures, retaining its historic charm.
On top of this, environmental measures have been taken to protect the fragile nature that surrounds it, limiting the impacts of tourism.
Its rebirth demonstrates a desire to preserve this jewel of French heritage for future generations while sharing it with the world.
Mont-Saint-Michel Today
Today, Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most visited places in France, with people coming from all over the world to see it.
It’s a unique destination where people can stroll around, discover nice boutiques, and feast in restaurants with a view. All while soaking in its old-fashioned, time-traveling style.
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