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Origin and history

The cloister of Elne, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales, is a medieval monument built between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries for the canons of the cathedral, not for monks. It is distinguished by its Romanesque and Gothic sculpture, with galleries of various styles: the south gallery (XII century) is Romanesque, while the west and north galleries (XIII century) combine Romanesque and Gothic, and the east gallery (XIV century) is entirely Gothic. The cloister, classified in 1840, was the heart of canon life, with adjacent buildings for study and community life.

The construction spanned several centuries, reflecting artistic developments. The oldest South Gallery houses historic capitals such as the Creation of Adam or the Martyr of St.Peter, inspired by the workshops of Serrabone. Later galleries incorporate Gothic motifs, as the scenes of the Virgin's Life in the east gallery. The cloister, originally equipped with a floor destroyed in 1827, was occupied by the municipal administration during the Revolution before being restored.

Architecturally, the cloister forms an irregular quadrilateral in white Ceret marble, with arches on cross of warheads and columns carved from plant, animal or biblical motifs. The door to the cathedral, decorated with red and white marbles, is a remarkable example of local Romanesque art. The four-angled Evangelist asses were mutilated by Napoleon's soldiers when the cloister served as a stable.

The cloister also houses burials, such as that of Bishop Guillaume Jorda (XII century), and bas-reliefs narrate biblical episodes, such as the Resurrection of Christ or the Massacre of the Innocents. The gallery, dedicated to the Life of the Virgin, illustrates the climax of the Russillon Gothic. The ancient claustral buildings now house a museum, including a 14th century liturgical cabinet decorated with a nursing Virgin.

Despite Elne's decline in front of Perpignan, the canons continued to build it until the official abandonment of the site in 1602. The little restored cloister offers an intact testimony of Catalan medieval art, mixing Romanesque, Gothic and local influences. Its white marble, detailed sculptures and turbulent history make it a unique monument in Occitanie.

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