Toulouse - St-Sernin

The Basilica of St. Sernin in Toulouse, built from red bricks about 1080 - 1120, is the largest still existing Romanesque church in France. It once belonged to the abbey of St. Sernin, that had existed here already within the 5th century near the grave of St. Sernin (aka "Saint Saturnin").

The church, replaced a smaller, carolingian structure, and was erected to accommodate the many pilgrims, as Toulouse has always been a very important stop on the way to Santiago de Compostella. The "Via Tolosana", one of the many ancient pilgrim routes, was named after Toulouse. It is said, that pilgrims, who, for what reasons ever, could not make it to Santiago, tried at least to reach St. Sernin in Toulouse.

The western facade of the Basilica is under renovation and reconstruction since long time. It is hidden under scaffoldings and covers. Only some capitals are visible. Here are some monkeys in a jungle of vines. This creatures looks like howler monkeys, but as howler monkeys are native to South and Central American forests, it would be more as a surprise to find them on a Romanesque capital.