Abbaye de Saint-Polycarpe

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Abbaye de Saint-Polycarpe, Medieval abbey in Saint-Polycarpe, France.

The abbey complex includes a fortified Romanesque church and a medieval aqueduct system stretching across the rural landscape of Aude department.

Founded in the 8th century by Spanish nobleman Athala, the monastery flourished until its dissolution in 1771 following ecclesiastical disputes.

The church houses religious artifacts including a reliquary containing remains of Saint Polycarp, the martyred bishop of Smyrna from the 2nd century.

While the church welcomes visitors free of charge, the remaining monastery structures belong to private owners and remain inaccessible to the public.

The last monk, Dom Pierre Valès, refused to leave the abbey after its closure and met a tragic end in 1773.

Location: Saint-Polycarpe

GPS coordinates: 43.04109,2.29002

Latest update: June 23, 2025 10:00

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