11 juin 2007
Menhir of Chassagne
This
menhir forms part in my opinion of a long linear series started towards
Loubaresse, where the three menhirs of Foujichi are. This alignment
contrasts with the insulation of the majority of the raised stones of
the cantal. That of Chassagne avoided the destruction of little, being
posed on the layout of the Clermont-Montpellier motorway…
Unfortunately, two other menhirs lying did not have this chance.
It measures 2 m 80 and had been hidden of a third. It was thus moved, on the surface of motorway of Country cottage, while arriving on Massiac. It was aligned perfectly with the vault of Madeleine and that of Victor, on the other side of the valley. Invaluable information to find the network crowned which course this area.
Moreover, on the line joining this menhir and the vault, we find a quite beautiful cross, (finally, cross…) posed there like a memory of a thing much older….
Holy vault Madeleine de Massiac
Overhanging
the vacuum of a cliff of basaltic organ to the top of the town of
Massiac, the vault of holy Madeleine, only vestige of the
castle-extremely built by the family of Mercoeur to the XII ème
century. With the foot of cliff, under the vault, a source is still
famous for the diseases occulaires. And is to me opinion that under the
vault still a cave is…. There was at this place an old solar worship,
whose cave could make the parèdre.
The vault was inside the enclosure of the castle. It has a porch with hood, called “caqueteuse”. One includes/understands well why… And before arriving, a beautiful door of life.
The nave is flanked of a vault on the left and a enfeu on the line. The voute in bottom of furnace shelters a Christ in mandorle accompanied by the tétramorphe, painting dating from the XII ème century. Restored in 1980, it had two statues.
The first, Romance virgin known as of Country cottage, and the second, a Madeleine myrophore (carrying perfume) were both transported in the church Saint Andre de Mossiac.
Opposite
the vault, on the other side of the valley of Alagnon, another basaltic
rock and another vault, holy Victor. The legend wants that Victor and
madeleine, the two hermits, on both sides of the valley, requested and
meditated in loneliness. But sometimes, wishing mystical talks,
Madeleine her chain launched through the valley and they found both for
deviser on this bridge of fortune.
In a version less… let us say… catholic, the two lovers were separated by Gargantua who dug the valley…
On Victor Saint, we find a whole heap of vestiges Neolithic.
Energies are in this place still in action. (see the menhir of Chassagne)
Church Saint Andre de Massiac, black virgin of Country cottage
The
church, founded at the time Romance, was several times plundered or set
fire to (1379 and 1446). Its oldest parts are the southern bedside and
door, the remainder having been altered or rebuilt in 1870.
In itself, this church has only few attractions. Except… The statue of the virgin of Country cottage, found in the holy vault Madeleine. (see the Holy vault madeleine). It has all the characteristics of a black virgin. And in with the force. What a marvellous beauty!
Further, a statue of Madeleine myrophore, also found in this vault.
And a very beautiful retable which does not leave either indifferent.
Still another statue of virgin to the child, dating from the XVII ème
century, which comes from the vault Etienne saint close to Massiac
where it was discovered in 1954 during a forest expoitation. All celà
makes that this city of Massiac is worth the turning well.
