The old village

It must be a professional deformation but I cannot look up at the church tower without noticing that one of the faces of the church clock is telling the wrong time. No one seems much bothered so I expect it will stay that way.

Formerly the castle chapel, the church of St Saturnin became the parish church at the
beginning of the eighteenth century following a flood which swept away that
part of the village located down in the valley. The Abbot of Saint Martin
authorised the reconstruction of the village higher up. It was at that time that the
remains of Saint Saturnin, Patron of the original church, destroyed in the flood,
were placed in the choir of the chapel. The church possesses a number of classified
treasures, including a pre-Romanesque marble column.

The castle was constructed in the 11th century under the authority of the monastery of Saint Martin du Canigou, which was founded by Guifred II, Count of Cerdagne and Conflent, around the year 1000AD. From the twelfth century, part of the village, previously located entirely alongside the river Cady, was re-formed on the hill around the castle. From that time, records refer to a castri verneto, confirmation of the existence of a fortified, enclosed settlement. Traces of the former wall can be seen in the rue Notre Dame del Puig. In 1654, following the incorporation of north Catalunya into France, the castle was destroyed by French troops who were occupying Vernet. In 1896, Clément de Lacroix, a descendant of Pierre de Barrera, the owner of the baths in Vernet from 1788, embarked upon the restoration of the monument, using material from the ruins of the original structure. Most of the stone blocks were not re-worked before being put into place. Only corner blocks were cut and shaped, like those of the church. A lane still encircles the castle and church, separating them from the rest of the
settlement. The castle was sold in 1970 and is a private residence, not open to the
public.