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Cloister · Moissac, Occitânia
Cloître de Moissac
The Romanesque cloister dated to 1100, one of the oldest in Europe, with 76 carved capitals, 46 of them with scenes from the Bible and the lives of the saints.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Cloître de Moissac
The Cloister of Moissac is precisely dated to 1100 by an inscription on one of the piers. It is one of the oldest and best-preserved Romanesque cloisters in Europe. It has four galleries, 31 by 27 metres, with arches supported by 116 slender limestone columns, alternating single and double columns.
The great treasure are the 76 capitals from the year 1100, of which 46 are historiated, with scenes from the Bible and the lives of the saints, and the others with vegetal and animal motifs. On the corner piers and in the middle of each gallery are reliefs with apostles and with Abbot Durand, who governed Moissac.
The arcades were remade at the end of the 13th century in pointed arches, but the original capitals and columns were retained. In the center of the cloister there is a garden with a large cedar.
The visit may include rooms of the abbey and a space about the site's history. The cloister has its own entrance beside the church.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
45 minutes to 1 hour.
Best time
In the morning or late afternoon, with side light on the capitals. Opening times vary with the season: check in advance.
How to get there
It is next to the abbey church, in the center of Moissac, about a 10-minute walk from the station. Entrance is via the tourist office next to the cloister.
Tip
Walk around the galleries in full, looking at the capitals one by one: the scenes are small and full of detail. The leaflet at the entrance helps identify the stories.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Cloître de Moissac
When does the cloister of Moissac date from?
From 1100, according to an inscription on one of the pillars. The arcades were rebuilt at the end of the 13th century.
How many capitals does the cloister have?
There are 76 capitals from the year 1100, of which 46 contain scenes from the Bible and the lives of the saints.
Where is the cloister entrance?
Next to the abbey church, by the tourist office.