Montmajour

The "Abbaye de Montmajour" was a really important abbey in medieval times. Founded around 1000 on an island like hill surrounded by swamps and marshes just outside of Arles. Already since 1030 pilgrims walked to Montmajour to see a part of the "True Cross" and so obtaining the "Pardon de Montmajour". The abbey was secularized already in 1786 (by Louis XVI), after the revolution it was sold to different owners. Today it is a massive ruin, used as a quarry over decades in the 19th century. Many stones were used to build the channels in Arles.

Over long periods the abbey was an empty complex of crumbling buildings. So traces of vandalism are widely spread. But maybe the many graffitis are not pure vandalism. There are about 70 different ships carved into the western wall of the cloister. "Fragile" galleys, shown with sails and rudders. This type of ships was used from antique times to the 17th century. They may have carved into the walls, when during the Hundred Years’ War or Religious Wars there were times, when no monks lived here.I found sources dating them back even into the 13th century. It is believed, that these graffitis were carved in by sailors here, to ensure a special blessing for the ships.


By the way, a graffiti of a way more modern steam ship is to be seen on the nearby Alyscamps in Arles:

www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/4995573939/