Colourful cat. Detail of medieval mosaic in restored late-1000s or early 1100s pavement in former Benedictine abbey church at Sorde l'Abbaye, Landes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.
Sorde l'Abbaye, Landes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France: this cat turning to look backward is one of a pair decorating part of a geometric rosette made from colourful medieval tesserae in the restored late-11th or early 12th century mosaic pavement of the choir in the Romanesque abbey church of Saint-Jean de Sordes. The mosaics were created from white, black, red, green and ochre tesserae no more than 2 cm wide. The pavement was covered over, probably in the 17th century, but was rediscovered during 19th century building work. Missing areas of the mosaics were at first replaced by marble tiles and further restoration in 1893 was in whimsical Italian style. In 1984, some of the 19th century work was removed, and in 2007, when the choir was restored, the entire pavement was lifted and only the medieval parts re-laid. The mosaics have been rated as the finest example of Romanesque art in the Landes. The Benedictine Abbey of St John, built on the site of a 3rd century AD Gallo-Roman villa, was founded in the 10th century as a stopping-place on the Camino de Santiago or Way of St James Christian pilgrimage route. The abbey church and abbot's house were the only parts of the abbey to survive the 16th century Wars of Religion, and although the monastic buildings were rebuilt, the monks fled during the French Revolution. Marble mosaics from the Gallo-Roman villa have also been found at Sorde l'Abbaye, which was originally known as Sordes. The villa walls have disappeared, but remains of its thermal baths survive.
Size: 2201px × 2202px
Location: Sorde l'Abbaye, Landes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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