Saenz Family Coat of Arms - A tree signifies a Converso family

Rennes-le-Chateau

Rennes-le-Chateau

It was quite a long trip for Rodrigo and Emma by horse-cart up this Mt. It was before the new road was built.

Poussin and RLC - Mary Magdalene

One of Poussin`s "Last Supper" paintings. Is that St. John, or is it Mary Magdalene?
(Double-click on image to enlarge).



Did he paint that beautifully French border as well? He was quite an artist! "Mary Magdalene" as seen by Don Rodrigo and Emma Calve on their trip to Rennes-le-Chateau. This is the plaster bas relief painted by the Abbe Berenger Sauniere himself from the altar inside of the RLC church.

"The walls of the church are covered with painted relief scenes in popular style - a rather unconventional series of the Stations of the Cross, and, above the confessional, a representation of Christ on the Mount. Sauniere himself painted the picture of Mary Magdalene for the front of the altar. Strangest of all, carved above the porch of the church are the words of Jacob at Bethel, spoken the morning after he had seen the vision of the angels ascending and descending a ladder that led to Heaven: Terribilis est locus iste, 'This is a fearful place.'"

Rennes le Chateau Church Window with Pillars

Rennes le Chateau church interior window with pillars as seen by Don Rodrigo and Emma Calve when they were given a tour by Marie Denarnaud. The style is so French - the blue with silver and gold.

The Rennes le Chateau Presbytery Floorplan

Floorplan of the building visited by Emma Calve and Rodrigo.

RLC Presbytery floorplan.

Is the small room to the right of the salle Sauniere`s private room?

I see the "basement windows", the "bread oven", the "fireplace", and the "sink".

"The presbytery was shared between the priest, his maid and its maid's family. Bérenger Saunière had a small piece in the first floor that served him of room. The family Dénarnaud was installed on the same floor that the abbot. As for Marie Dénarnaud, she had a room at the second floor of beautiful measurements."

Emma Calve

Rennes-le-Chateau Church toured by Rodrigo and Emma Calve in May 1900

The Stations of the Cross - Rennes-le-Chateau.



From "The Stations of the Cross" in Rennes-le-Chateau church.

Sauniere`s Umbrella - mentioned by Castillon in his diary