Church and castle

I went into the lycée in Prades today to give a public information talk to a class of older students. It was my first time back in school for 15 years so it brought back some memories. I was afraid I might struggle with the language but it went ok and the students were very receptive.

The day has been much warmer than of late and it was a pleasure to be out in the sun. I took this shot a couple of hundred metres from our house just below the Mairie. The church and the castle are the two landmarks that are most visible as you approach the village.

The church of Saint-Saturnin is first mentioned in 874 . It stood on the left bank of river Cady. Originally the lordship of Vernet was owned by the Counts of Cerdagne: the seigneural castle was then located in the neighbouring village of Casteil. Its jurisdiction passed to the Abbey of Saint-Martin du Canigou in 1074 (the abbey was founded between 997 and 1005).
The castle was established at its present location probably in the twelfth century. The population slowly migrated over the years to this hilltop location from the valley below. The medieval lords controlled the access road to the valley of the Tet and often extorted ransoms from peasants and monks. Their demands gave rise to numerous complaints from the church. The castle is now in private hands.
In 1710 a flood destroyed the old church of Saint-Saturnin, and the parish seat was moved to the present church, the former castle chapel.