This is the ninth installment of "THE ROAD," featuring landscapes captured by photographer Hidenobu Kasahara during his European travels. It's Mont Saint-Michel, France.
The history of Mont Saint-Michel dates back to ancient times. It all began when Bishop Saint-Auber, following a revelation from Archangel Michael, built a small chapel. Initially a small building, it was later expanded into a Romanesque monastery in the 11th century, and the Gothic La Merveilleuse in the 13th century. The Bay of Saint-Malo, where Mont Saint-Michel is located, experiences extreme tidal fluctuations, and it's said that many pilgrims have lost their lives in the past. In 1979, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay were registered as a World Heritage Site.
The Bay of Saint-Malo, located in southern Normandy near the border with Brittany, is known for having the most extreme tidal ranges in Europe. The tides vary by more than 15 meters. For this reason, the rocky islet on which the monastery is built, located in the southeastern part of the bay, once floated above sea level during high tide and was connected to the mainland by a natural land bridge that appeared during low tide (a tidal island). A sign indicating the tide times is posted at the entrance to the island, warning visitors not to step onto the beach during high tide. The strongest tides are said to occur 28-36 hours after the full moon and new moon, when the ebb tide, which has receded 18km offshore, surges in at a tremendous speed. It is said that many pilgrims were swept away by the tide and lost their lives in the past, and there is a saying that if you go to Mont Saint-Michel, you should leave a will behind.
King's Gate
This is one of the most noteworthy gates within Mont Saint-Michel. The bridge in front of the gate was connected with a chain, and the bridge was raised to prevent incursions in case of enemy invasions.
Grand Rue
The main street of Mont Saint-Michel. Restaurants and souvenir shops line the narrow roads.
La Mère Poulard
This renowned restaurant has a long history, having been founded as an inn in 1888. It is said that the nutritious cuisine was originally invented to satisfy the appetites of pilgrims from far-flung lands.
Saint-Pierre Church
At the entrance to the church there is a statue of Joan of Arc, who is famous for her role in the Hundred Years' War. Inside the church, the Archangel Michael is enshrined, and the beautiful stained glass windows are also a highlight.
A long staircase leads up.
A tank that collects rainwater located halfway up the grand staircase. There used to be a well here, but it has now dried up.
Mont Saint-Michel Tidal Flats
The tidal flats are part of the World Heritage Site. The tide level in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel (Bay of Saint-Malo) can change as much as 15 metres, forming a vast tidal flat at low tide.
Taken from the west terrace
There are also walking tours on the tidal flats
Archangel Michael
When discussing the history of Mont Saint-Michel, it is impossible to ignore the presence of Archangel Michael. The mysterious island's name, "Saint-Michel," is French for Archangel Michael. Various depictions of Archangel Michael can be seen throughout the island.
A golden statue of Michael stands at the top of the roof.
The Abbey Church
Its imposing, solid appearance is reminiscent of a fortress. Its unique design is a blend of various architectural styles, not just Gothic.
The Gothic chancel of the church, with the sound of a pipe organ resonating loudly
A statue of St. Michael next to the altar. Built in the 15th century, it weighs souls.
La Merveille
A three-story residential space nicknamed the Merveille (Wonder) for its beautiful decoration. The courtyard surrounded by a Gothic cloister is particularly impressive.
A place of worship and meditation.
A place of meditation for monks. The double columns are slightly offset to create the illusion of an endless chain of columns.
Saint-Étienne Chapel
A chapel for the dead. This chapel served as a resting place for the dead until the 19th century. On the wall to the left of the altar is the "Pietà," a statue of the Virgin Mary holding the body of Christ. The letters "ΑΩ" below the altar represent eternity.
Monks' Promenade
Between the 11th and 13th centuries, the architectural style of the ceiling transitioned from Romanesque to Gothic. It was named the Promenade in the 19th century, but its purpose is unknown. It is thought that the rooms were used by monks for walks to relax.
Garden
Exterior wall
Perimeter
Perimeter
Perimeter
[World Heritage Trip] "Mont Saint Michel" Photography by Hidenobu Kasahara
https://youtu.be/-1AuT0RNXko
While the COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly led to a shift towards remote working, there are certainly analog things that we must cherish, like casual conversations with others or spending time admiring roadside flowers. "THE ROAD" is a story woven by the roads, people, and cities, as if these feelings intersect.
Pay close attention to Hidenobu Kasahara's art-like photography, which captures a quiet, warm atmosphere.
Our road continues, gazing at the past, present, and future.
"THE ROAD" by Hidenobu Kasahara
https://hidenobu.com/the_road/
photo: Hidenobu Kasahara
Photographs featured in THE ROAD are now on sale on the website below.
https://www.pick-up-design.com/
The setting for this ninth installment is the World Heritage Site, Mont Saint-Michel.
The history of Mont Saint-Michel dates back to ancient times. It all began when Bishop Saint-Auber, following a revelation from Archangel Michael, built a small chapel. Initially a small building, it was later expanded into a Romanesque monastery in the 11th century, and the Gothic La Merveilleuse in the 13th century. The Bay of Saint-Malo, where Mont Saint-Michel is located, experiences extreme tidal fluctuations, and it's said that many pilgrims have lost their lives in the past. In 1979, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay were registered as a World Heritage Site.
Mont Saint-Michel is a small island in the Bay of Saint-Malo, and the monastery that stands atop it.
The Bay of Saint-Malo, located in southern Normandy near the border with Brittany, is known for having the most extreme tidal ranges in Europe. The tides vary by more than 15 meters. For this reason, the rocky islet on which the monastery is built, located in the southeastern part of the bay, once floated above sea level during high tide and was connected to the mainland by a natural land bridge that appeared during low tide (a tidal island). A sign indicating the tide times is posted at the entrance to the island, warning visitors not to step onto the beach during high tide. The strongest tides are said to occur 28-36 hours after the full moon and new moon, when the ebb tide, which has receded 18km offshore, surges in at a tremendous speed. It is said that many pilgrims were swept away by the tide and lost their lives in the past, and there is a saying that if you go to Mont Saint-Michel, you should leave a will behind.
King's Gate
This is one of the most noteworthy gates within Mont Saint-Michel. The bridge in front of the gate was connected with a chain, and the bridge was raised to prevent incursions in case of enemy invasions.
Grand Rue
The main street of Mont Saint-Michel. Restaurants and souvenir shops line the narrow roads.
La Mère Poulard
This renowned restaurant has a long history, having been founded as an inn in 1888. It is said that the nutritious cuisine was originally invented to satisfy the appetites of pilgrims from far-flung lands.
Saint-Pierre Church
At the entrance to the church there is a statue of Joan of Arc, who is famous for her role in the Hundred Years' War. Inside the church, the Archangel Michael is enshrined, and the beautiful stained glass windows are also a highlight.
A long staircase leads up.
A tank that collects rainwater located halfway up the grand staircase. There used to be a well here, but it has now dried up.
Mont Saint-Michel Tidal Flats
The tidal flats are part of the World Heritage Site. The tide level in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel (Bay of Saint-Malo) can change as much as 15 metres, forming a vast tidal flat at low tide.
Taken from the west terraceThere are also walking tours on the tidal flatsArchangel Michael
When discussing the history of Mont Saint-Michel, it is impossible to ignore the presence of Archangel Michael. The mysterious island's name, "Saint-Michel," is French for Archangel Michael. Various depictions of Archangel Michael can be seen throughout the island.
A golden statue of Michael stands at the top of the roof.The Abbey Church
Its imposing, solid appearance is reminiscent of a fortress. Its unique design is a blend of various architectural styles, not just Gothic.
The Gothic chancel of the church, with the sound of a pipe organ resonating loudlyA statue of St. Michael next to the altar. Built in the 15th century, it weighs souls.La Merveille
A three-story residential space nicknamed the Merveille (Wonder) for its beautiful decoration. The courtyard surrounded by a Gothic cloister is particularly impressive.
A place of worship and meditation.
A place of meditation for monks. The double columns are slightly offset to create the illusion of an endless chain of columns.
Saint-Étienne Chapel
A chapel for the dead. This chapel served as a resting place for the dead until the 19th century. On the wall to the left of the altar is the "Pietà," a statue of the Virgin Mary holding the body of Christ. The letters "ΑΩ" below the altar represent eternity.
Monks' Promenade
Between the 11th and 13th centuries, the architectural style of the ceiling transitioned from Romanesque to Gothic. It was named the Promenade in the 19th century, but its purpose is unknown. It is thought that the rooms were used by monks for walks to relax.
GardenExterior wallPerimeterPerimeterPerimeter[World Heritage Trip] "Mont Saint Michel" Photography by Hidenobu Kasahara
https://youtu.be/-1AuT0RNXko
While the COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly led to a shift towards remote working, there are certainly analog things that we must cherish, like casual conversations with others or spending time admiring roadside flowers. "THE ROAD" is a story woven by the roads, people, and cities, as if these feelings intersect.
Pay close attention to Hidenobu Kasahara's art-like photography, which captures a quiet, warm atmosphere.
Our road continues, gazing at the past, present, and future.
"THE ROAD" by Hidenobu Kasahara
https://hidenobu.com/the_road/
photo: Hidenobu Kasahara
Photographs featured in THE ROAD are now on sale on the website below.
https://www.pick-up-design.com/
