Semiramis

A scene from a black and white movie. The object of the affection of our diarist, Don Rodrigo, was a costumed dancer very similar to this actress. Her name was Semiramis, she and her lady handler were from Russia.

A Book Dedication from Emma Calve

In English this translates to: "To Mister Count Saint-Germain, the Grand Chiromancer, able to see me put it real, Emma Calve, 1897." Or Able to see me say the things of true?

The Universal Exhibition - Paris 1889

The Universal Exhibition in Paris 1889.

Montmartre 1900

The garden of the Moulin Rouge in 1900 - Paris.

19th Century Opera

Don Rodrigo loved the opera.

Johann Orth - Johann Salvator

Site of the former Budapest bank where Saunière had allegedly opened one of two consecutively numbered accounts with a Hapsburg... — at Budapest.

One of the guests at Emma Calve`s soiree had the initials "J.O." and spoke with a Germanic accent even though he claimed to be British.

Elizabeth of Austria

Sauniere`s Memphis-Mizraim Masonic Collar - Grand Master

Masonic collar of the Grand Master grade belonging to the Abbe Sauniere. The Martinists were a branch of Memphis-Mizraim and Gerard Encausse known as "Papus" was their leader. Don Rodrigo states that both he and Emma Calve were Martinists as was Sauniere also.

Papus

Gérard Encausse known as Papus. Papus was the leader of the Martinists - a division of the Lodge of Memphis-Mizraim. Emma Calve and Don Rodrigo were both Martinist members, as was Sauniere.

Vaulx-en-Velin, France

Lyon.

Villas on the river, did one of these belong to Don Rodrigo as described in his diary?

Sauniere`s Survey Equipment

Letter addressed to Saunière. This deals with optical survey equipment normally only used by mapmakers. For this he used the mail drop address in Lyon.

Don Rodrigo saw Sauniere`s survey equipment in his private rooms - May 1900.

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